What Deprescribing Information Should Be Communicated on Discharge and How? A Qualitative Study of Pharmacists' Perspectives on Deprescribing at Transitions of Care

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalisation provides an opportunity to deprescribe (withdraw inappropriate medications), however, safe and effective deprescribing relies on good communication between relevant stakeholders. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of Australian hospital and community pharmacists on communicating information about deprescribing at transitions of care and their role in the deprescribing process. METHODS: A diverse group of hospital and community pharmacists was purposively recruited. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups that were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim using NVivo. Each transcript was thematically analysed using an inductive coding approach, performed by two independent coders. RESULTS: Thirty-two pharmacists were recruited between June and August 2023. Seventeen participants worked in hospitals, 10 in community pharmacies, and five across both settings. Four themes with 12 subthemes were identified, pertaining to (i) how pharmacists communicate about deprescribing on hospital discharge, (ii) how pharmacists collaborate with other healthcare professionals and patients to optimise deprescribing, (iii) how the role of the pharmacist in deprescribing at transitions of care can be optimised, and (iv) how pharmacists feel about their current and future role in deprescribing. CONCLUSIONS: Challenges in communicating deprescribing recommendations and ensuring continuity of care when patients transition between care settings were identified. Development of new tools (e.g., templates and guidance on how and what should be communicated) and processes to support communication at the transition of care from hospital to the community are needed to support deprescribing activities.