Deprescribing practices in Canada: A scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Health Services Research
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Polypharmacy, or excessive medication use, increases adverse drug reactions, impacting patient adherence and quality of life.
• Optimizing pharmacotherapies via deprescribing is vital for managing chronic conditions and improving patient outcomes.
• Deprescribing involves the systematic reduction of medication use under the guidance of a health professional.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore research initiatives and identify key themes surrounding deprescribing practices in Canada.
• To understand the current landscape of deprescribing research within the Canadian healthcare context.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
• Searches encompassed 6 major databases, including studies on deprescribing interventions, patient experiences, and effects on Canadian populations.

Main Results:

• The review identified 5 major themes: deprescribing specific medications, financial implications, deprescribing in vulnerable populations, healthcare provider perspectives, and existing deprescribing frameworks.
• Analysis of 31 selected studies from an initial 2327 citations revealed diverse findings.
• Key themes highlight the multifaceted nature of deprescribing interventions and their impact.

Conclusions:

• Canadian deprescribing practices demonstrate significant benefits across various healthcare settings, patient groups, and medication classes.
• Deprescribing holds substantial potential to mitigate medication-related harm in all Canadian healthcare environments.
• Further research and implementation of deprescribing strategies are recommended to enhance patient safety and outcomes.