A recent study from Trinity College Dublin has outlined ten critical research priorities aimed at improving strategies for reducing and discontinuing psychiatric medications. Published in the British Medical Journal (Open) on November 11, 2024, the findings respond to the growing global consumption of psychiatric drugs, which has risen by 4% annually, particularly in antidepressants.
The study was conducted by researchers from Trinity’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Nursing and Midwifery, with significant input from stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of taking or stopping psychiatric medication, family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The goal was to address the numerous gaps in knowledge regarding the safe reduction or cessation of these medications.
The research team emphasized the importance of engaging key stakeholders to determine what issues are most pressing to them. This engagement revealed significant uncertainties and gaps in existing research that need to be addressed to enhance the health and well-being of individuals prescribed psychiatric medications.
Using the James Lind Alliance’s structured seven-step process for priority-setting, the researchers collected over 3,500 questions from more than 850 respondents worldwide. These questions were distilled into 32 key inquiries, which were then validated to ensure they had not been adequately addressed in prior studies. A subsequent survey ranked these questions, and a final workshop with 30 stakeholder representatives led to the identification of the top ten research priorities.
Lead author Cathal Cadogan, an Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice, and co-author Miriam Boland, a final-year PhD candidate, emphasized the significance of their findings. “This study addresses a crucial gap by identifying the top ten priorities for future research on reducing and stopping psychiatric medications, reflecting the concerns of key stakeholders,” they stated. “These priorities highlight areas that have not been adequately explored, particularly regarding the safe discontinuation of medications and the understanding of withdrawal symptoms.”
Agnes Higgins, a Professor in Mental Health and co-author of the study, pointed out the importance of including individuals with lived experience in the research process. “People with mental health challenges are often excluded from deciding research questions. Our methodology amplifies their voices on issues that are directly relevant to their lives and highlights the need for a robust evidence base in this field,” she said.
The research team urges funding agencies and policymakers to consider these identified priorities when allocating resources for future studies, aiming to enhance the well-being of individuals on psychiatric medications.
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