Prescribing of potentially unsafe medications for older adults is extremely common; benzodiazepines and sedative hypnotics are, for example, key drug classes frequently implicated in adverse health consequences for vulnerable older adults, such as confusion or sedation, leading to hospitalizations, falls, and fractures. Fortunately, most of these consequences are preventable. Physicians' lack of awareness of alternatives, ambiguous practice guidelines, and perceived pressure from patients or caregivers are among the reasons why these drugs are used more than might be optimal. Reducing inappropriate use of these drugs may be achieved through decision support tools for providers that are embedded in electronic health record (EHR) systems. While EHR strategies are widely used to support the informational needs of providers, these tools have demonstrated only modest effectiveness at improving prescribing. The effectiveness of these tools could be enhanced by leveraging principles of behavioral economics and related sciences.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Change in Inappropriate Prescribing
Timeframe: Each patient was assessed beginning from the date in which they were identified as eligible (i.e., meeting the inclusion criteria) until the end of a 16-month follow-up; the outcome time frame varied by participant