Inappropriate medication use and polypharmacy in end ‐stage cancer patients: Isn't it the family doctor's role to de‐prescribe much earlier?

ConclusionThough not representative of the whole end‐stage cancer patient population, our study demonstrates that these patients are exposed to extensive polypharmacy. Most of these medications could have probably been safely de‐prescribed much earlier in the course of the malignant disease. Considering the prolonged trust‐based relationship with their patients, the family physicians are those who should be encouraged to implement the palliative approach and reduce polypharmacy much before reaching hospice settings.
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL PAPER Source Type: research