Benzo Prescriber Survey 2023

We are seeking Scottish Govt / Public Health Scotland funding to update and repeat a survey of Scottish addiction prescribers seeking their views on, and experiences of, management of benzodiazepine (BZD) dependence.

We lasat ran the survey in 2020 and asked prescribers to describe their BZD-dependent caseload, clinical practice, utilisation of local/Scottish/international clinical guidance, and existence of access to supportive services/interventions for patients. We explored their decision-making around risk and how they perceived competing risks for prescribers and people who use drugs. 55 prescribers participated from 10 Health Boards and included GPs, prescribing psychiatrists, GPs, specialist addiction and prison medics.

A key objective of the 2023 iteration will be to describe the reach and impact of Public Health Scotland's 2021 "Interim Guidance on Benzodiazepine Harm Reduction", which outlines principles for the management of BZD dependence, including substitute prescribing, in Scotland. Our survey will provide contemporary evidence to inform ongoing improvements in medication assisted treatment, especially the ongoing development of national clinical guidance.

This is a relatively small project consisting of a short online survey (in JISC). We will not recruit via NHS or other statutory services. Responses will be pseudonomised before analysis.

Please see the latest draft of the proposal "BZD Prescriber Survey 23 Jan", or contact Joe, if you would like more detail.