Physicians' views on pharmacists' involvement in hospital deprescribing: A qualitative study on proton pump inhibitors

Abstract

Background: Clinical pharmacists have a pivotal role in the management of the patient's medication. However, it is necessary to know how pharmacist-mediated deprescribing could be implemented in a hospital setting according to hospital physicians.

Objective: To explore physicians' views on the involvement of hospital pharmacists in the deprescribing process using the example of PPIs.

Methods: A qualitative study using two focus groups with hospital physicians was conducted to determine their attitudes regarding deprescribing initiated by the hospital pharmacist. The interviews were recorded and transcribed using the NVivo analysis software. A thematic analysis led to a categorization of all the verbatims.

Results: Hospital doctors are reluctant to deprescribe drugs initiated by a colleague and feel that it is the responsibility of the general practitioner (GP), who fails to do so due to lack of time. In this situation, the hospital pharmacist is in the best position to deprescribe because of his/her expertise in drug therapy. This should be a discussion between the hospital pharmacist, the hospital doctor, the GP and the patient. Deprescribing should always be adapted to the patient's context.

Conclusion: Hospital physicians are open to a pharmacist-mediated, patient-centred approach to deprescribing as long as the GP is involved.

Keywords: clinical pharmacy; deprescribing; hospital setting; proton pump inhibitors; qualitative research.