A drug education tool developed for older adults changes knowledge, beliefs and risk perceptions about inappropriate benzodiazepine prescriptions in the elderly

Abstract

ObjectiveTo develop and test an educational tool for older adults that increases risk perception about benzodiazepines through knowledge acquisition and change in beliefs. MethodsA 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. ResultsPost-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. ConclusionRisk perception surrounding inappropriate prescriptions can be altered through direct delivery of an educational tool to aging consumers. Practice implicationsPatients should be targeted directly with information to catalyze discontinuation of inappropriate prescriptions.