Influences On Prescribing In Borderline Personality Disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Influences On Prescribing Decisions For The Pharmacological Management Of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Qualitative Interview Study
IRAS ID
330510
Contact name
Joshua Confue
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 1 days
Research summary
Two approaches, talking therapies and medication, are used to treat personality disorders. In the case of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), the national recommendations are that medications should not be utilised outside of crisis management.
Despite this, medication is often prescribed to treat BPD despite a lack of evidence that this is effective. This use of medication is potentially problematic, particularly given the lack of evidence around effectiveness. All medications prescribed to patients have the potential to cause side effects or other complications. In general, the more drugs a patient is prescribed, the greater the chance that one or more of them will have an unwanted or harmful effect. These harmful effects can result in physical health complications, which can damage a patient's quality of life. In the case of antipsychotics, for example, people may develop diabetes or obesity.
It is not fully understood what drives the prescribing for patients with BPD. This study is designed to find out what factors might be influencing the shared decision around prescribing medication. This will be explored through interviews with those involved in prescribing, namely: patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. These interviews will take around an hour and will be recorded and transcribed. If the interviewee prefers, they may be face-to-face or use telecommunication technology. The transcriptions of these interviews will be carefully analysed to understand what might be influencing the decision to use medicines.
It is hoped that by understanding what drives medication prescribing in these patients, it will be possible to challenge overprescribing.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0915
Date of REC Opinion
12 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion