A combination of interventions may be needed to improve patient’s understanding of their disease and medications, and ultimately overall health outcomes
Background Deprescribing is an intervention used to help reduce the risks associated with inappropriate polypharmacy, especially for older adults. However, rates of polypharmacy use have continued to increase worldwide, including in Australia. Limited research is available that considers deprescribing and the management of polypharmacy from the perspective of both older adults and GPs. This is despite the key role both play in decision making. This study investigated deprescribing as an aspect of medication management. The role of older adult health literacy was explored to determine if this was an important facilitator of shared decision making about deprescribing. Aim The aim of this research was to explore the factors which influence the process of deprescribing in primary care in Australia. Objectives 1. How does the structure of the healthcare environment in primary care in Australia facilitate or impede discussions about polypharmacy and deprescribing between older adults and the