Barriers and Facilitators to the Deprescribing of Nonbenzodiazepine Sedative Medications Among Older Adults

Nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic medications, or "Z-drugs," are commonly used to treat insomnia among older adults (≥ 65 years), despite a lack of evidence of long-term effectiveness and evidence linking long-term use with poor outcomes. To understand patient and clinician barriers and facilitators to deprescribing, or discontinuation, of Z-drugs. We conducted a qualitative interview study among older adults who received a deprescribing intervention and among their clinicians at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Semistructured interviews explored perceived barriers and facilitators to successful deprescribing of Z-drugs. Interviews were audiorecorded with participant permission. Content was analyzed using QSR NVivo 10 software. From the perspectives of patients, the greatest challenges to deprescribing are factors related to their insomnia, including the need for effective treatment of their insomnia; health care system factors, including a desire for personalized approaches to care; and their own positive personal experiences with sedative medication use. From the clinician perspective, a lack of institutional structures and resources to support deprescribing, the attitudes and practices of previous clinicians, and patient-related factors such as dependence and a lack of alternatives to treat insomnia were the most important barriers to deprescribing. Health care systems must provide individualized care that supports patient goals for restful sleep and quality of life while also providing evidence-based care that takes patient safety into account. To accomplish this, systems must support patients and clinicians and provide a multidisciplinary approach that addresses insomnia treatment, provides patient education about sedative medication use, and supports the discontinuation process.