Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany
Background Long-term use of antidepressants frequently extends beyond clinical guidelines, with limited structured support for deprescribing in primary care. Little is known about the factors that influence general practitioners (GPs) in Germany regarding deprescribing of antidepressants.Objectives...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of General Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13814788.2025.2531879 |
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| author | Jochen Vukas Vita Brisnik Linda Sanftenberg Peter Henningsen Jochen Gensichen Tobias Dreischulte |
| author_facet | Jochen Vukas Vita Brisnik Linda Sanftenberg Peter Henningsen Jochen Gensichen Tobias Dreischulte |
| author_sort | Jochen Vukas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Long-term use of antidepressants frequently extends beyond clinical guidelines, with limited structured support for deprescribing in primary care. Little is known about the factors that influence general practitioners (GPs) in Germany regarding deprescribing of antidepressants.Objectives To identify barriers and facilitators that influence GPs in Germany regarding antidepressant deprescribing. To provide points of departure for developing a targeted intervention to address these challenges.Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 GPs in Bavaria and purposively sampled for diversity in gender and professional experience. The interview topic guide was informed by the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using a structured coding approach.Results Key barriers to deprescribing included time constraints, limited practical tools, and inadequate collaboration with specialists, as well as uncertainty about when to deprescribe. Social and psychological factors, such as patient fears, were also significant. Facilitators included strong GP-patient communication, the use of digital tools, pharmacist support, and positive attitudes towards deprescribing.Conclusion Antidepressant deprescribing in German primary care is shaped by systemic, social, and behavioural factors. Addressing time constraints, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating decision-support tools into clinical practice could facilitate deprescribing. These insights inform targeted interventions to promote safe and evidence-based antidepressant use. Further research is recommended to develop an intervention suitable for real-world usage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8b89ee90659a4f33bec190dd93531b90 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1381-4788 1751-1402 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of General Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-8b89ee90659a4f33bec190dd93531b902025-08-20T03:32:37ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of General Practice1381-47881751-14022025-12-0131110.1080/13814788.2025.2531879Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in GermanyJochen Vukas0Vita Brisnik1Linda Sanftenberg2Peter Henningsen3Jochen Gensichen4Tobias Dreischulte5Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, GermanyInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, GermanyInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, GermanyGraduate Program ‘POKAL ‑ Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care’, Munich, GermanyInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, GermanyInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, GermanyBackground Long-term use of antidepressants frequently extends beyond clinical guidelines, with limited structured support for deprescribing in primary care. Little is known about the factors that influence general practitioners (GPs) in Germany regarding deprescribing of antidepressants.Objectives To identify barriers and facilitators that influence GPs in Germany regarding antidepressant deprescribing. To provide points of departure for developing a targeted intervention to address these challenges.Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 GPs in Bavaria and purposively sampled for diversity in gender and professional experience. The interview topic guide was informed by the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using a structured coding approach.Results Key barriers to deprescribing included time constraints, limited practical tools, and inadequate collaboration with specialists, as well as uncertainty about when to deprescribe. Social and psychological factors, such as patient fears, were also significant. Facilitators included strong GP-patient communication, the use of digital tools, pharmacist support, and positive attitudes towards deprescribing.Conclusion Antidepressant deprescribing in German primary care is shaped by systemic, social, and behavioural factors. Addressing time constraints, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating decision-support tools into clinical practice could facilitate deprescribing. These insights inform targeted interventions to promote safe and evidence-based antidepressant use. Further research is recommended to develop an intervention suitable for real-world usage.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13814788.2025.2531879Deprescribingdiscontinuationantidepressantprimary caregeneral practicequalitative interview study |
| spellingShingle | Jochen Vukas Vita Brisnik Linda Sanftenberg Peter Henningsen Jochen Gensichen Tobias Dreischulte Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany European Journal of General Practice Deprescribing discontinuation antidepressant primary care general practice qualitative interview study |
| title | Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany |
| title_full | Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany |
| title_short | Barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing – A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators to antidepressant deprescribing a qualitative interview study with general practitioners in germany |
| topic | Deprescribing discontinuation antidepressant primary care general practice qualitative interview study |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13814788.2025.2531879 |
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