Study protocol for a hybrid I randomised clinical trial to evaluate an audit and feedback and a pharmacist-led intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate medications in older adults: the AIM study

INTRODUCTION: Potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) in older adults, such as long-term use of benzodiazepines, proton pump inhibitors without indication or antipsychotics in dementia, are associated with adverse events and increased healthcare utilisation. Despite clinical guidelines discouraging their use, PIPs remain frequent in primary care. An audit and feedback (A&F) intervention of PIPs to general practitioners (GPs), led by pharmacists, may reduce the prescription of PIPs in primary care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A two-arm, pragmatic, controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an A&F-based intervention and a pharmacist-led intervention to reduce the proportion of patients aged ≥65 years receiving inappropriate prescriptions. A total of 170 participating GPs, 85 per group, are required. GPs will be randomised into intervention or control groups (1:1). The intervention includes feedback reports, pharmacist-led academic detailing and access to online training modules. The primary outcome is the proportion of older adults receiving at least one PIP at 12 months as well as the total number of PIPs. A random effects Tobit regression model, censored at 0 and 100, will be used to estimate between-group differences adjusted for baseline prescribing. Subgroup analyses will explore heterogeneity of effect by baseline prescribing level and healthcare region. Implementation outcomes, including reach, fidelity, engagement and maintenance, will be evaluated using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework, combining quantitative and qualitative data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained by the Balearic Island Committee Ethics (IB5219/23PI). Study findings, including primary and secondary outcomes and qualitative implementation results, will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder reports. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN14449434.