Approximately 35,000 individuals with an intellectual disability are prescribed psychotropic medications in the United Kingdom (UK; NHS, 2022) even though they do not have a mental health diagnosis. This study aims to investigate factors which are influential in the deprescribing of psychotropic medications within an intellectual disability population.
Q-Methodology was used to elucidate factors relevant in the deprescribing process. In total, 32 NHS professionals working across community learning disability teams in the Northwest of England undertook a 53-statement Q-Sort. PQMethod was used to analyse the data, revealing three factors accounting for 49% of the variance in the data.
The factors were described as willingness to deprescribe and trying alternative interventions, perceptions of risk and behaviours that challenge and professional opinions, rational clinical judgement and safe ethical practice.
This study highlights the need for training to raise awareness around deprescribing guidelines, risk management and staff’s awareness of their role in medication reviews.
