Validation and Assessment of Patients' and Their Caregivers' Attitude Toward Medications Deprescribing in Qatar: A Cross-sectional study of Home Health Care Services in Qatar

Abstract

Introduction: Polypharmacy remains a pressing concern among the elderly population, often leading to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), emergency department (ED) visits, and hospital admissions. Studies have underscored polypharmacy as a robust predictor of potentially inappropriate medication use and associated poor clinical outcomes in individuals aged 65 and older. Despite the decline in medical treatment effectiveness with aging, patients and caregivers often express reluctance to discontinue regular medications, necessitating a deeper understanding of their perceptions and beliefs regarding deprescribing. Methods: This study aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of patients and their caregivers toward deprescribing of medications in Qatar. The first phase involved translating and validating the caregivers' version of the revised Patients’ Attitudes Toward Deprescribing (rPATD) tool. Subsequently, a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing validated self-administered questionnaires in both English and Arabic. Results: a significant proportion of both patients and caregivers perceived their medication burden as inconvenient and burdensome. While satisfaction with current medications was generally high, a notable willingness to discontinue medications under physician recommendation was observed. Moreover, participants expressed a strong desire to be involved in deprescribing decision-making processes, highlighting a culture of person-centered care. Despite this, concerns regarding adverse events, medication efficacy, and the necessity of medications persisted among respondents. Conclusion:this study provides insights into the attitudes and perceptions surrounding deprescribing among elderly patients and their caregivers in Qatar, emphasizing the importance of tailored deprescribing strategies and shared decision-making in clinical practice.