JAMA Netw Open

Unmasking the hurdles: Why deprescribing benzodiazepines in seniors is challenging

March 10, 2025

Study details: This survey study involved 240 hospital physicians and 96 general practitioners (GPs) from six European countries. It aimed to identify the main barriers to deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) in older adults, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to categorize the barriers.

Results: Major barriers to deprescribing BZRAs were similar for physicians and GPs and included six TDF domains: skills, beliefs about capabilities, goals, environmental context and resources, social influences, and behavioral regulation. Intention to deprescribe was influenced by country, occupation, and five key domains:

• Memory/attention/decision processes: odds ratio (OR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-2.40
• Social/professional role: OR 5.92, 95% CI 3.28-11.07
• Beliefs about capabilities: OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.55-3.63
• Beliefs about consequences: OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.61-5.71
• Reinforcement: OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.15

Routine deprescribing was linked to memory/attention/decision processes, intentions, and emotions.

Clinical impact: Effective deprescribing efforts require approaches that address both reflective processes (e.g., enhancing capability) and impulsive processes (e.g., managing emotions).

Source:

Shapoval V, et al. (2025, March 3). JAMA Netw Open. Barriers to Deprescribing Benzodiazepines in Older Adults in a Survey of European Physicians. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40029661/