Study identifies research priorities for reducing psychiatric medications

The study hopes to inform the research agenda and help future research focus on questions that matter most to key stakeholders.

Global use of psychiatric medications is increasing by 4% annually, with the largest increase seen in the use of antidepressants. For people who wish to reduce and / or stop taking medication there are many gaps and unanswered questions about how to do this properly.

Now, a new study led by researchers at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Nursing and Midwifery and driven by key stakeholders representing people with experience of taking or stopping medication of psychology has set ten priorities for future research. reducing and stopping psychiatric medications. The findings were published in the British Medical Journal (Open) [today, Monday 11^thNovember 2024].

According to the researchers, these findings will help guide future research and provide a more responsive and strategic allocation of research resources, with the goal of improving the future health and well-being of people who are prescribed drugs. mind.

Research based on extensive interviews with key stakeholders

The researchers wanted to engage with key stakeholders to find out what is important to them, representing people who have experience taking or stopping taking or stopping psychiatric medication, members of families, carers and supporters, and health care professionals. This discussion highlighted important uncertainties and gaps in the existing evidence on this topic that should be addressed by future research. These priorities are important to research funding agencies and can help guide future research and provide a responsive and strategic allocation of research resources, with the goal of improving future health. and the well-being of people taking psychiatric medications.

Research methodology

A partnership for priority setting (PSP) was developed using the seven steps of the James Lind Alliance.

More than 3500 questions were collected from more than 850 people worldwide. These responses were analyzed and eliminated 32 questions that were determined not to be satisfactorily addressed by previous research. These questions were posed in a second online survey of over 500 respondents, and the findings were discussed in a final ranking workshop by 30 stakeholders to produce a list of final 10 survey questions. These questions cover many areas including the most effective ways to safely reduce/stop psychiatric medications and providing support to people on the way to withdrawal.

Key findings

1 This study has developed a list of 10 research priorities for reducing and stopping psychiatric medications through stakeholder engagement and addressing key weaknesses in current stakeholder engagement practices. as the participation of people with experience of mental health problems in research is not common. , especially in the early stages of the main topic of research and posting of information.

2 Priorities for future research include a number of issues including: the most effective ways to safely reduce/discontinue psychiatric medications and provide support for people who are and under the cessation process, to understand the barriers and help to reduce and stop psychiatric medications, as well as to understand the feelings and experiences of those who have reduced / stopped these medications or are currently doing so.

3 The findings highlight the value and benefit of using partnerships where key stakeholders interact in a meaningful, inclusive and respectful way to identify joint priorities.

4 The list highlights important uncertainties and gaps in the existing evidence base on this topic that should be addressed by future research.

Although the researchers expected that the data collection process would raise many doubts and unanswered questions, they were surprised by the sheer number and complexity of the uncertainties collected. This is shown by the fact that several questions in the Top 10 list had subcategories, and also highlights the strong need for further research in this area.

Recommendations

The research team recommended that research sponsors and others responsible for research funding (including government policy makers) consider these priorities in guiding future research and provide a responsive and strategic allocation of research resources, with the goal of improving the future health and well-being of people taking psychiatric medications.

Lead author Cathal Cadogan, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Miriam Boland, pharmacist and final year PhD candidate in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. he said:

“The findings of this first James Lind Alliance conference address an important gap by identifying 10 priorities for future research on reducing and stopping prescription psychiatric medications. most important to people who have experience of taking or stopping psychiatric medication, family, caregivers and supporters, and health care professionals The Top 10 list highlights many areas that have not been addressed in sufficient is the previous research to date around the most effective ways to safely reduce/discontinue psychiatric medication and to provide support to people with the withdrawal process, as well as how to better understand the positive and negative effects of reducing and stopping psychiatric medications, including withdrawal symptoms We hope that the emphasis on these studies will encourage funders to direct more funds for research to solve the doubts that have been observed and ultimately help to improve the health and well-being of people with mental illnesses. medicines.”

Agnes Higgins, Professor of Mental Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery and co-author he said:

“In the area of ​​mental health, for various reasons, people who have lived experience of mental health problems, are often not included in the process of deciding the research questions. The method used In this study he helps to develop their words on a very difficult subject. It is related to their life and the place where there is a need for strong evidence to practice.”