How Much Benzodiazepine Prescribing is the Right Amount of Prescribing?
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Availability
On-Demand
Expires on Mar 05, 2027
Credit Offered
1 CME Credit
1 COP Credit

While the introduction of benzodiazepines was rightly welcomed given their enhanced safety profile relative to barbiturates, their use has come under increased scrutiny as evidence of potential risks has accumulated. In this activity, we will first review the epidemiology of benzodiazepine prescribing—to whom are they prescribed and why? Next, we will review the available evidence about both the risks associated with and evidence base supporting their use, including available evidence focused specifically on those with serious mental illness. Finally, we will consider the approach to deprescribing a benzodiazepine when clinicians and patients have decided this is the appropriate course.

Format

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.

This presentation was recorded on March 5, 2021.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe basic epidemiology of benzodiazepine use.

  • Identify most common indications for and risks of use, including evidence specifically related to those with serious mental illness.

  • Outline an approach to tapering a benzodiazepine.

Target Audience

Pharmacist, Psychiatrist, Physician (non-psychiatrist), Physician Assistant, Nurse/Nurse Practitioner

Instructional Level

Intermediate

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour
Program Start Date: March 5, 2024
Program End Date: March 5, 2027

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including viewing the full video and submitting an evaluation. A multiple-choice quiz is provided based on the content. A passing score of 75% must be achieved. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the completion date and hours/credits earned.

Continuing Education Credit

Physicians

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Instructor

  • Donovan Maust, MD, is a geriatric psychiatrist at University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor with two primary research interests. First, he is exploring the determinants and outcomes of potentially inappropriate psychotropic prescribing to older adults, with a particular focus on benzodiazepines. In addition, he is interested in the factors that drive overuse of medical services by older adults with dementia. Dr. Maust reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Planners

  • Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
  • Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Reviewers
  • Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 1/9/2024)
  • John Torous, MD, MBI, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 1/9/2024

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

  • The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
  • Internet Explorer 11+

This website requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be:  Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

  • Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
  • Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
  • Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

  • Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
  • Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact SMIadviserhelp@psych.org for technical assistance

Funding for SMI Adviser was made possible by Grant No. SM080818 from SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, SAMHSA/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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