Management of Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs

Programme Design

This programme was designed in conjunction with the HSE Medicine Management Programme, the Irish Institute of Pharmacy and the ICGP.

Programme Aim

The aim of this self-directed, online programme is to educate healthcare professionals on the legislation pertaining to benzodiazepines and z-drugs and to the implications this has on their management in practice. Course content will include examination of national guidelines relating to the management of benzodiazepines and z-drugs in clinical practice, details of the legislative requirements and the implications of this on practice, an investigation of the current issues that pertain to benzodiazepines and z-drugs, and possible strategies that could be employed in a collaborative approach for addressing these. The training programme will include interactive learning opportunities that incorporates examples and scenarios from primary practice.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this programme, GPs will be able to:

• Identify the general factors that must be considered in the management of benzodiazepines and z-drugs in the primary care setting;
• Understand the implications of the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 on the prescribing and dispensing of benzodiazepines and z-drugs;
• Articulate the specific factors that should be addressed by practitioners in the prescribing, supply and ongoing review of patients who are taking benzodiazepines and z-drugs;
• Identify the potential risks associated with benzodiazepines and z-drugs in the primary care setting and strategies to mitigate these;
• Describe strategies that could be employed in a collaborative approach to patient care in the management of benzodiazepines and z-drugs.

Certification

After successful completion of course videos and MCQs, students will be awarded Certificate of successful completion / CPD code: 3 external credits/0.5 day GMS study leave. MCQ assessment may be repeated a maximum of 3 times. 

Eligibility

Open to ICGP members only.

Cost

No cost.

Registration

Course access here for ICGP members.

Further information:

For more information, please contact ampc@icgp.ie.