Deprescribing conversations can be difficult to initiate. Patients may be attached to their medications, and clinicians may worry about perceived withdrawal of care. Evidence shows that structured, neutral conversation prompts improve the quality of shared decision-making and patient acceptance of medication changes. This tool generates clinically appropriate discussion prompts tailored to the medication category, patient age, and indication status.
Use this tool when preparing for a deprescribing conversation with a patient, during structured medication reviews where dose reduction or discontinuation is being considered, or when training clinical staff in shared decision-making approaches to medicines optimisation.
These prompts are designed to support clinical conversations, not to prescribe a course of action. All deprescribing decisions must be made collaboratively between the clinician and the patient based on individual clinical circumstances. The tool does not account for specific drug tapering schedules or withdrawal protocols.
Deprescribing is the planned, supervised process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial or may be causing harm. It is a key component of good medicines optimisation.
Deprescribing should be considered for any patient where a medication may no longer be indicated, where risks outweigh benefits, or where the patient's goals of care have changed — particularly in older adults and those with polypharmacy.
The prompts are informed by published deprescribing frameworks and clinical guidelines. They are designed to support evidence-based conversations, not replace clinical judgement.
These prompts are designed for clinician use during shared decision-making conversations with patients. They provide neutral, balanced language suitable for clinical discussions.
No. This tool generates discussion prompts only. Any decision to reduce or stop a medication should be made collaboratively between the clinician and patient based on individual clinical circumstances.
The prompts are designed to be neutral and non-directive. If a patient is reluctant, explore their concerns, provide information, and revisit the conversation at a later date. Shared decision-making is essential.