A Comparison between Perceptions of Psychiatric Outpatients and Psychiatrists Regarding Benzodiazepine Use and Decision Making for Its Discontinuation: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although long-term use of benzodiazepines and z-drugs (BZDs) is not recommended, little is known about the stakeholders' perceptions. This study aimed to assess and compare the perceptions of BZD use and decision making regarding its discontinuation between psychiatric outpatients and psychiatrists.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Results

Of 104 outpatients, 92% were taking hypnotics and 96% were taking anxiolytics for ≥a year, while 49% were willing to taper hypnotic/anxiolytics within a year of starting. Most psychiatrists felt that "patient and psychiatrist make the decision together on an equal basis" compared to patients (p < 0.001), while more patients felt that "the decision is (was) made considering the psychiatrists' opinion"

SUBMITTER: Aoki Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10094391 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature