Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40551239›Full record

ArticleArchives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique2025

Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonists use in Belgium: a policy Delphi.

Pauline Van Ngoc, Beatrice Scholtes, Jean-Luc Belche, Melissa Ceuterick

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Pauline Van NgocResearch Unit of Primary Care and Health, Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Pauline.vanngoc@uliege.be.
Beatrice ScholtesResearch Unit of Primary Care and Health, Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Jean-Luc BelcheResearch Unit of Primary Care and Health, Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Melissa CeuterickHedera, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Funding

Belgian Federal Science Policy Office DR/91/BENZOCARE
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe long-term use of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) poses a significant public health challenge in Belgium because of the associated risks of physical and psychological dependence. Despite guidelines recommending short-term use, BZRAs are frequently prescribed beyond the recommended duration, leading to chronic use and associated harm. To address this issue, a policy Delphi study was conducted to assess targeted strategies for preventing long-term BZRA use through the lenses of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

methodsThe study involved a panel of experts, including healthcare professionals and patients, who participated in two rounds of questionnaires to evaluate 27 policy recommendations. These recommendations were assessed for feasibility, support, and importance, and participants were also asked whether the necessary conditions were in place to implement each recommendation. This approach aimed to identify areas of consensus and divergence among participants.

resultsKey findings reveal a strong consensus on the need for awareness campaigns aimed at healthcare professionals and the general public to highlight the risks associated with BZRA withdrawal. There was also significant support for implementing training programs to equip healthcare providers with the skills needed to manage BZRA withdrawal effectively. However, some recommendations, such as increasing remuneration for long follow-up consultations and establishing a peer support "benzo-buddy" system, garnered less agreement, suggesting that these proposals require further refinement.

conclusionThis study highlights the complexity of addressing long-term BZRA use and advocates for a comprehensive, multifaceted approach. This approach should integrate education, awareness, and tailored healthcare practices to increase prevention efforts. The findings emphasise the importance of coordinated interventions across different levels of prevention to effectively mitigate long-term use on BZRAs in Belgium. By refining and implementing these strategies, the likelihood of achieving meaningful improvements in the management and reduction of chronic BZRA use could be significantly increased, contributing to better public health outcomes.

Indexed as

BenzodiazepinesPolicy DelphiPolicy recommendationsZ drugs

Identifiers

PMID40551239
PMCPMC12183905

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.