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INFORMATION FOR

The De-prescribing Elective

When less is more

The De-prescribing Elective is designed for trainees and mental health practitioners interested in promoting prescribing practices that are effective in reducing risk, maximizing benefits while centering on person-centered values and preferences.

The goal of the elective is to foster deeper understanding of a unique component of the psychiatric prescribing practices through peer supervision, mentorship, consultations and development of a like-minded network of mental health practitioners.

What is De-prescribing?

De-prescribing is a systematic process of identifying, reducing or discontinuing drugs in instances in which existing or potential harms outweigh existing or potential benefits within the context of an individual patient’s care goals, level of functioning, life expectancy values and preferences.

The yearly series will be held virtually and include a late-spring and fall session. In general, we will devote time in each session to introduce knowledge on the important components of de-prescribing. Participants will contribute and learn in a space that promotes awareness of the prescribing practices while sharing and developing the skills necessary for reducing to the minimum effective dose, discontinuing and at times, resisting the urge of prescribing.

The unique aspect of this course includes the creation of a peer support group, access to a consultant and provision of tools for tracking your clinical experience over the time between the spring and the fall session.

The fall session will included advanced training for the learner to further their expertise in de-prescribing and prepare them for the clinical issues that are in the intersection of ethical, legal and systemic challenges.

Please note - The elective is open to all faculty and trainees who are interested. For trainees who are graduating this June, an accelerated fall session will be available.

The Curriculum

Module 1
  • Gain an understanding of the patient and prescriber-related factors, potential benefits, risks and barriers to de-prescribing.
  • Learn to recognize patient goals, strengths and preferences and develop your skills in the shared-decision making model.
Session 1: Virtual, Breakout Rooms, role-play
Module 2
  • Enhance your skills and expand your knowledge of de-prescribing for some commonly used psychotropic medications.
  • Learn the steps of de-prescribing by developing and implementing an action plan for situations that may arise in your clinical practice.

Sessions 2-4: Virtual

Module 3
  • Complete self-directed assessments and gather 360-degree feedback from your peers and mentor.
  • Transform your personal prescribing practices into a detailed action plan

Self-paced, peer supervision, mentorship

Module 4
  • Present your assessments, share your personal strategy, action plan and cases with the team and gather their feedback.
  • Expand your ability to think about the macro picture and consider the socio-cultural, ethical, legal and systemic influences when prescribing.
Sessions 5-8 Virtual

Interested in enrolling? Contact: