Implementing deprescribing guidelines into frontline practice: Barriers and facilitators

A Bruyère Evidence-Based Deprescribing Guideline Symposium was held in March 2018; one component focused on implementing deprescribing guidelines into practice. An interactive discussion activity allowed the 107 participants to share experiences and ideas concerning the barriers and facilitators that arise when moving deprescribing guidelines into frontline practice. Participants identified 8 broad challenges and problem areas. These included challenges and barriers that arise in the daily practices of pharmacists and prescribers and in other health care settings, and those related to existing policies, processes, and financial structures. They also identified 10 factors that facilitated implementation efforts, including: educating patients, caregivers, health care providers (HCPs) and staff; improving collaboration across practice disciplines; expanding the evidence for deprescribing; and fostering organizational cultures of deprescribing. The results indicate that participants are committed to deprescribing and are moving forward with efforts to bring about change. Participants recognize that the implementation of deprescribing is best conceived of as a comprehensive systems change, and that patients and the public need to be involved in deprescribing processes and activities.