OBJECTIVES : To develop and validate a novel questionnaire to discern the perceptions, attitudes and challenges faced by physicians towards deprescribing medications.

METHODS : Questions were developed based on literature review from different qualitative surveys. A team of multi-disciplinary experts performed the face and content validation of the questionnaire. Reliability based on test-retest was attained in a group of 80 physicians with diverse specializations. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient and percentage of agreement comparing the scores from two test results administered 30 days apart. IBM statistical package SPSS Statistics software version 17.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS : A questionnaire consisting of 12 items based on perceptions, attitudes, challenges and enablers (PACPD-12) was fabricated. During the initial face validation, the experts rephrased a few questions, added and deleted items as deemed suitable according to the aim of the study. Test-retest was performed on 80 physicians, 30% of whom had experience of more than 5 years. Response rate was 100% for both test and retest. Analysis showed good agreement of more than 75% in the responses to all the questions. Analysis revealed evidence that the tool was reliable.

CONCLUSIONS : Preliminary assessment showed that the questionnaire was a prompt, reliable and valid instrument. This questionnaire provides a tool for policy makers to evaluate the perspective of physicians towards deprescribing. The findings obtained by using this questionnaire may help in designing awareness programs to cater to healthcare professionals and to impart a strong institutional focus on deprescribing.