The Art of De-Prescribing with Pharmacist Dr. Shawn Gill

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.       Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Ditch the Lab Coat," the podcast where we critically examine health issues through a lens of scientific skepticism and practical wisdom. I'm your host, Dr. Mark Bonta, and today, we have a special guest, Dr. Shawn Gill, a clinical pharmacist and founder of Deprescribed Solutions. Dr. Gill collaborates closely with physicians and patients to create detailed taper plans for safely coming off medications like SSRIs. In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of convincing physicians to adopt evidence-based tapering approaches, the importance of individualized patient care, and the hazards of over-relying on medication for minor ailments. Dr. Gill shares his practical, sustainable mental health-boosting practices and underscores the need to consider lifestyle interventions over long-term pharmaceutical treatments.Listen in as we explore the complexities of medication therapy in both acute and community settings, debate the appropriateness of prescribing SSRIs, and discuss the collaborative interprofessional model in healthcare. We also touch on the systemic challenges within a fee-for-service infrastructure and the significance of managing patient expectations during the transition off medications.Join us for an insightful discussion on how we can evolve as healthcare providers and implement holistic, non-pharmacological approaches to improve patient care. And remember, this podcast is aimed at fostering thoughtful discussion and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Enjoy the episode, and stay tuned for more in-depth conversations on "Ditch the Lab Coat"!06:43 Limited access to specialists leads to disjointed care.10:31 Concern about medication adherence and deprescribing motivation.14:21 Navigating healthcare challenges and career self-reflection.16:53 Intervening with young patients to prevent complications.18:58 Emphasizing patient goals and identifying severity of symptoms.23:43 Antidepressant numbness, fear of stopping medication.26:22 Mental health treatment lacking options due to time.31:36 Pharmacist navigates patient dynamics without prescribing authority.32:59 Experienced doctor focuses on patient's mental health.37:31 Coordinate deep prescribing with physicians, share updates.39:19 Building trust, giving feedback, and fragile egos.42:33 Consider stopping antidepressants, it's possible and rewarding.47:07 Discontinuing medication requires careful adjustment and support.51:46 Reflection on medical practice, calls for diverse guests.53:48 Mother's nursing work inspired son's medical career.