The Benefit of a Dedicated Multidisciplinary Approach on Deprescribing Medications in Elderly Patients
Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
Spring 4-2025
College/Unit
School of Medicine
Department/Program/Center
Family Medicine
Abstract
Polypharmacy is a critical issue among older adults, increasing the risk of adverse drug events and poor outcomes. Deprescribing—the intentional reduction of unnecessary medications—mitigates these risks. This study evaluates the impact of a multidisciplinary geriatric clinic, led by a geriatrician and pharmacist, on deprescribing efforts through comprehensive medication reviews. The clinic achieved reductions in high-risk medications.
Using Epic EMR's Slicer Dicer, a retrospective analysis compared prescribing patterns for high-risk medications among patients aged 65 and older within WVU Medicine. Data from July 1, 2021, to December 2,2024, were analyzed, comparing the general population to patients seen in the Department of Family Medicine’s Geriatric Multidisciplinary Clinic. This clinic employs a geriatrician and pharmacist in a team-based care approach.
General population:
Among 1,328,866 patients, 220,626 were prescribed opioids, 151,931 benzodiazepines,91,456 anticoagulants, 91,334 gabapentinoids, 75,900 thiazide diuretics, 31,391 alpha agonists, and 12,987digoxin. A total of 1,107,240 patients were not prescribed any of these high-risk medications.
DFM Geriatric Clinic:
Among 253 patients, 6 were prescribed opioids, 5 benzodiazepines, 5 anticoagulants,10 gabapentinoids, 3 thiazide diuretics, 0 alpha agonists, and 1 digoxin. A total of 223 patients were not prescribe any high-risk medications. These findings demonstrate a significant reduction in high-risk medication use in the clinic population compared to the general population, underscoring the value of a multidisciplinary approach.
A multidisciplinary geriatric clinic significantly reduces high-risk medication prescriptions in older adults. By focusing on individualized medication reviews and deprescribing, the clinic improves medication safety and reduces polypharmacy risks.
Digital Commons Citation
Capito, Joseph E. and Allison, Robert, "The Benefit of a Dedicated Multidisciplinary Approach on Deprescribing Medications in Elderly Patients" (2025). Faculty & Staff Scholarship. 3311.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/3311
Source Citation
Capito J, Allison R. The benefit of a dedicated multidisciplinary approach on deprescribing medications in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025;73(Suppl 1):S292. Abstract C246. doi:10.1111/jgs.19450