Knowing When to Stop: Navigating Polypharmacy Training in Geriatric Psychiatry

To explore psychiatry residents' experiences, challenges, and perceived educational gaps in managing polypharmacy among older adults within a large academic hospital setting.

Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we synthesized recurring themes and insights emerging from longitudinal clinical reflections, supervision discussions, and interdisciplinary educational forums conducted over a 12-month academic year, including monthly group supervision sessions and weekly faculty supervision during routine clinical rotations. Additional perspectives were informed by interdisciplinary grand rounds focused on geriatric care. Discussions emphasized clinical dilemmas related to medication safety, transitions of care, and regulatory knowledge. A focused literature review contextualized these observations within current geriatric psychiatry training practices.

Residents commonly encountered neuropsychiatric symptoms attributed to polypharmacy, including agitation, delirium, and cognitive impairment. High-risk medications and incomplete reconciliation were prevalent during care transitions. System-level issues such as non-specific electronic health record alerts, limited pharmacist engagement, and variable handoff protocols were noted. Educational deficits included minimal formal instruction on deprescribing tools (e.g., Beers Criteria, STOPP/START), regulatory requirements, and communication strategies with families and caregivers. Mentorship from geriatric-trained psychiatrists was scarce, contributing to low subspecialty engagement.

Despite growing responsibilities in geriatric care, psychiatry residents often lack adequate training in polypharmacy management. Findings underscore the need for structured curricula incorporating deprescribing frameworks, regulatory education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Addressing these gaps is critical for improving medication safety and preparing the next generation of psychiatrists to serve an aging population.