@article{ref1,
title="Effectiveness of a direct-to-consumer written health education program in the reduction of benzodiazepine and sedative-hypnotic use in an elderly population at a single Veterans Affairs medical center",
journal="Mental health clinician, The",
year="2018",
author="Erwin, William J. and Goodman, Courtney and Smith, Tammy",
volume="8",
number="3",
pages="100-104",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: The use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics in the elderly is associated with a significant risk of delirium, falls, fractures, cognitive impairment, and motor vehicle accidents. This quality improvement project applies a direct-to-consumer intervention to an elderly veteran population to reduce the use of these medications. <br><br>METHODS: Patients aged 75 and older currently taking a benzodiazepine and/or a sedative-hypnotic were included in the project. Direct-to-consumer education intervention letters were mailed to patients within 30 days of their next appointment. Their providers were emailed a questionnaire after the patient's appointment. Providers were asked if the letter prompted a conversation regarding medication use, whether the provider initiated discussion regarding a taper, and whether a specific taper plan was developed. Medical records were reviewed to determine if a reduction in dose or discontinuation occurred. <br><br>RESULTS: Fifty-nine direct-to-consumer education letters were mailed to the patients. Follow-up questionnaires were e-mailed to 44 providers, and 27 providers responded. Twenty-two percent of patients had their benzodiazepine and/or sedative hypnotic dose reduced or discontinued after their follow-up appointment. Sixty-seven percent of veterans initiated a conversation with their provider regarding their medication with 74% of providers discussing dose reduction. Fifty-six percent of recipients developed a specific taper plan with their provider. <br><br>DISCUSSION: The data from this project suggests that direct-to-consumer patient education can reduce the exposure to benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics in an elderly veteran population. More data is needed on larger populations to further explore the benefit of direct-to-consumer interventions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2168-9709",
doi="10.9740/mhc.2018.05.100",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2018.05.100"
}