Deprescribing Medicines Course

Deprescribing Medicines Course is organized by Ausmed Education Pty Ltd.

First Published: 13 May 2018
Updated: 12 Feb 2020
Expires: 12 Feb 2021

CPD: 1h 15m of CPD

Course Overview:
It is well known that polypharmacy has the potential to result in adverse events for patients. Therefore, the prescribing process must not only include a review, but also the cessation of medicines.

This Course looks at polypharmacy and deprescribing.

Topics:
• How common is polypharmacy?
• Polypharmacy and the principles of deprescribing
• Barriers to deprescribing
• Classes of medicines for deprescribing
• Planning and managing the withdrawal of medicines

Need:
It is well known that polypharmacy has the potential to result in adverse events for patients. Therefore, the prescribing process must not only include a review, but also the cessation of medicines.

Cessation of medications may be a particularly appropriate action in certain clinical situations amongst older adults.

There is a need for education on how to safely and appropriately review a patient’s medication regime, and cease unnecessary medicines, as this can lead to an improved quality of life for patients.

Purpose:
The purpose of this Course is to enable learners to confidently consider whether to continue, reduce or cease medications that are not effective or may no longer be appropriate for a particular person.

Learning Outcomes:
• Correlate the challenges of an ageing population with medication use and polypharmacy
• Explain to the patient or their carer the rationale for deprescribing medicines as indicated
• Critically evaluate medicines that are at higher risk of causing older adults to experience medication-related problems
• Plan and initiate a withdrawal trial taking into account medicines that should be ceased slowly.