Improving patient care for people prescribed medicines with a risk of dependence

Dr Jennifer Seddon and colleagues' research, which was co-produced with people with lived experience of prescription medication dependence, aimed to improve the quality and experience of care for patients prescribed benzodiazepines, z-drugs, antidepressants, opioids and gabapentinoids – medications that are prescribed to millions of people each year in the UK.

The study positioned patients and healthcare professionals as active and equal partners throughout, and resulted in co-designed solutions to improve the experience of care in three priority areas: 1) improved information and communication, 2) improved continuity of care, and 3) alternatives to medication.

Ultimately, the study resulted in changes to clinical practice in how medications with a risk of dependence are prescribed, managed and deprescribed by participating GP practices in the study. The results of the study are being rolled out to GP practices in the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) region that collectively provide care to 1.1 million people.

Emerging Impact winner at the 2025 Social Sciences Impact Awards. The Impact Awards are supported by the University of Oxford’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, in partnership with Oxford Brookes University.