The attitudes and beliefs of doctors towards deprescribing medications

Background: The effects of polypharmacy and its related adverse outcomes are well documented among elderly patients. Deprescribing is now recognised as an important part of medication review in addressing polypharmacy. However, little is currently known about local practices in discontinuing medications as a means to improve quality of life. There are two aims in this study: first, to explore the attitudes and beliefs of deprescribing medications among doctors in the Department of Internal Medicine (DIM) in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and second, to see if differences exist among junior and senior doctors in their attitudes towards deprescribing. Methods: A descriptive survey was designed to look at the attitudes and beliefs of doctors towards deprescribing. All doctors in the department were invited to complete the survey. Results: The majority of doctors (66%) believed that deprescribing is beneficial for patients. Commonly cited barriers towards deprescribing were unwillingness to stop medications prescribed by another doctor, lack of time and insufficient knowledge. Lack of a specific approach to deprescribing was noted among 73% of the participants. A third of the juniors (32%) stated that they were reluctant to deprescribe medications, which was in contrast to the responses by the seniors, most of whom (94%) indicated no reluctance in deprescribing medications. Conclusion: Most doctors believe that deprescribing is beneficial to patients. Specific measures to target the barriers faced by doctors in deprescribing medications are necessary to improve deprescribing rates and minimising polypharmacy.