Supporting Interprofessional Collaboration in Deprescribing: Needs Assessment for an Education Program.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Medical Education
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Deprescribing is a complex, patient-centered process requiring collaboration.
• Effective deprescribing education is crucial for healthcare professionals and students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the learning needs and preferences of healthcare providers and students regarding deprescribing.
• To inform the development of an interprofessional deprescribing education program.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, family physicians, and students in Nova Scotia.
• Participants reported comfort levels with 12 deprescribing tasks and their learning preferences.
• Purposive and snowball sampling ensured representation from various professional and student groups.

Main Results:

• Sixty-nine individuals (46 providers, 23 students) completed the survey.
• Comfort levels across 12 deprescribing tasks varied significantly (40.22-78.90/100).
• Preferred learning activities included videos and case studies; providers favored online asynchronous learning, while students preferred a blended approach.

Conclusions:

• Specific learning needs and role-based competencies for deprescribing tasks were identified.
• Learner preferences for format (videos, case studies) and delivery (online, in-person) were established.
• Developing a tailored, interprofessional education program can enhance collaborative deprescribing practices.