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Educating physicians to reduce benzodiazepine use by elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial
Nicholas J G Pimlott1, Janet E Hux, Lynn M Wilson
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON. nick.pimlott@utoronto.ca
Summary
Physician education on benzodiazepine prescribing for seniors did not significantly reduce long-acting or combination prescriptions. This intervention did not lead to clinically meaningful changes in prescribing habits for elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Elderly benzodiazepine use is linked to adverse outcomes like falls, fractures, and cognitive impairment.
- Physician education and feedback may improve prescribing practices for this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an intervention aimed at reducing inappropriate benzodiazepine prescribing in elderly patients.
- To assess the impact of individualized feedback and educational materials on physician prescribing habits.
Main Methods:
- 1624 primary care physicians were identified and randomized into intervention and control groups.
- The intervention group received confidential profiles of benzodiazepine use with educational bulletins every 2 months for 6 months.
- The control group received information on antihypertension drug prescribing.
Main Results:
- A small, statistically significant decrease in long-acting benzodiazepine prescriptions was observed in the intervention group (0.7%), but this was not clinically significant.
- No significant differences were found between groups in combination benzodiazepine prescribing or long-term benzodiazepine therapy.
Conclusions:
- A program of confidential feedback and educational material did not significantly impact primary care physicians' benzodiazepine prescribing for elderly patients.
- Further strategies may be needed to address inappropriate benzodiazepine use in this demographic.