Prescribing and deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older people by Dutch general practitioners: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore general practitioners' (GPs) routines and considerations on (de)prescribing antihypertensive medication (AHM) in older patients, their judgement on usability of the current guideline and needs for future support.

Design

Semistructured interviews.

Setting

Dutch general practice.

Participants

Fifteen GPs were purposively sampled based on level of experience and practice characteristics until saturation was reached.

Results

GPs appeared reluctant to start AHM, especially in patient >80 years. High systolic blood pressure and history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes were enablers to start or intensify treatment. Reasons to refrain from this were frailty and patient preference. GPs described a tendency to continue AHM regimens uncha

SUBMITTER: van Middelaar T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5914897 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature