Polypharmacy – taking multiple medications at the same time – is a growing concern worldwide. Getting patients and their families involved in decisions about their medications is key to managing this challenge. Now, a new study has led to the advancement and testing of a Japanese version of the revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba, Hokkaido University of Science, and Keio university created this version of the rPATD. The original rPATD is a well-known tool used internationally to understand how patients and their caregivers feel about reducing the number of medications they take. This new Japanese version aims to do the same for patients in Japan.
The rPATD questionnaire helps healthcare providers understand a patient’s beliefs and concerns about stopping or lowering doses of medications. This information is crucial for shared decision-making, where doctors and patients work together to create a medication plan that best suits the patient’s needs and preferences. The study detailing the development and validation of the Japanese rPATD was published in PLOS ONE.
By using a validated questionnaire like the rPATD, healthcare teams can better support patients in safely and effectively managing their medications, ultimately improving their health and quality of life.
