OBJECTIVE: To develop and test an educational tool for older adults that increases risk perception about benzodiazepines through knowledge acquisition and change in beliefs. METHODS: A written educational tool was mailed to 144 benzodiazepine consumers aged ≥65 years recruited from community pharmacies. Knowledge and beliefs about inappropriate prescriptions were queried prior to and 1-week after the intervention. Primary outcome was a change in risk perception. Explanatory variables were a change in knowledge and beliefs about medications. Self-efficacy for tapering and intent to discuss discontinuation were also measured. RESULTS: Post-intervention, 65 (45.1%) participants perceived increased risk. Increased risk perceptions were explained by better knowledge acquisition (mean change score 0.9, 95% CI (0.5, 1.3)), and a change in beliefs (BMQ differential mean change score -5.03, 95% CI (-6.4, -3.6)), suggesting elicitation of cognitive dissonance. Self-efficacy for tapering, (mean change score 31.2, 95% CI (17.9, 44.6)), and intent to discuss discontinuation of benzodiazepine with a doctor (83.1% vs 44.3%, p<0.001) were higher among participants who perceived increased risk. CONCLUSION: Risk perception surrounding inappropriate prescriptions can be altered through direct delivery of an educational tool to aging consumers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients should be targeted directly with information to catalyze discontinuation of inappropriate prescriptions.
OBJECTIVE: To develop and test an educational tool for older adults that increases risk perception about benzodiazepines through knowledge acquisition and change in beliefs. METHODS: A written educational tool was mailed to 144 benzodiazepine consumers aged ≥65 years recruited from community pharmacies. Knowledge and beliefs about inappropriate prescriptions were queried prior to and 1-week after the intervention. Primary outcome was a change in risk perception. Explanatory variables were a change in knowledge and beliefs about medications. Self-efficacy for tapering and intent to discuss discontinuation were also measured. RESULTS: Post-intervention, 65 (45.1%) participants perceived increased risk. Increased risk perceptions were explained by better knowledge acquisition (mean change score 0.9, 95% CI (0.5, 1.3)), and a change in beliefs (BMQ differential mean change score -5.03, 95% CI (-6.4, -3.6)), suggesting elicitation of cognitive dissonance. Self-efficacy for tapering, (mean change score 31.2, 95% CI (17.9, 44.6)), and intent to discuss discontinuation of benzodiazepine with a doctor (83.1% vs 44.3%, p<0.001) were higher among participants who perceived increased risk. CONCLUSION: Risk perception surrounding inappropriate prescriptions can be altered through direct delivery of an educational tool to aging consumers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients should be targeted directly with information to catalyze discontinuation of inappropriate prescriptions.
Authors: Sarah Bloomstone; Kathryn Anzuoni; Noelle Cocoros; Jerry H Gurwitz; Kevin Haynes; Vinit P Nair; Richard Platt; Paula A Rochon; Sonal Singh; Kathleen M Mazor Journal: Ther Adv Drug Saf Date: 2020-10-30
Authors: Silvia Alessi-Severini; James M Bolton; Murray W Enns; Matthew Dahl; David M Collins; Dan Chateau; Jitender Sareen Journal: CMAJ Open Date: 2014-10-01
Authors: Justin P Turner; Claude Richard; Marie-Thérèse Lussier; Marie-Eve Lavoie; Barbara Farrell; Denis Roberge; Cara Tannenbaum Journal: Ther Adv Drug Saf Date: 2018-10-20