Evaluation of a public awareness initiative: CADeN’s public presentation
The Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network (CADeN) hosts public presentations to community groups throughout the provinces to raise awareness about the appropriate use of medications. These presentations are led by champions from both the public and health professional sectors across Canada.
Available in 10 languages, the presentation Medications as We Age: How to Make the Most of Them and Prevent Harmful Effects aims to inform the public about deprescribing and medication overload. The presentation has a duration of 40-45 minutes. Click here to view a recording of this public presentation.
The learning objectives of the public presentation are the following:
Why does aging make us more sensitive to the effects of medications?
In what situations would risks of drug effects outweigh the potential benefits?
How can patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals work together to prevent harmful medication effects?
A sample of participants (178 people) were asked to evaluate CADeN’s public presentation on medication safety and deprescribing through surveys between 2023 and 2025.
Sample of presentation slides in English, Punjabi, Arabic, and French (from top left to bottom right)
Respondent overview
The surveys were collected for presentations in English and French. Out of the total responses, 29% of the respondents viewed the presentation in French and 71% viewed it in English.
Most participants were located in Quebec (31%) and Ontario (22%) when they attended the presentation. Other participants were from Alberta (10%), British Columbia (10%). Nova Scotia (13%), New Brunswick (4%), Newfoundland and Labrador (2%), Prince Edward Island (5%), and Saskatchewan (3%).
Demographic overview of participants who responded to the public presentation surveys (n=178)
Behavior change after the presentation
Following the presentation, a large number of participants expressed a desire to consult healthcare professionals for a review of their own medications (48%).
Additionally, a substantial number of respondents indicated their intention to discuss medication overload and/or deprescribing with friends or relatives (58%) or for a review of medications for someone they care for (38%) to explore deprescribing opportunities.
A small percentage of respondents mentioned they would engage with their political representatives regarding the importance of medication appropriateness and deprescribing (13%).
Behavior change of participants after the presentation (n=178).
Other results
After the presentation, participants (n=178) were also asked to identify their feelings regarding the concepts of medication overload and deprescribing, as well as their comfort level in sharing this information with their healthcare professionals, family, and friends.
94% of participants felt more informed about medication overload and why it is a worry
90% of participants felt more at ease talking about medication overload and deprescribing with family and friends
94% of participants felt more informed about deprescribing and when it may be appropriate
95% of participants felt better equipped to ask a healthcare professional questions about medications
Comments from participants
“This presentation was very informative for me and I will book an appointment with my pharmacist to discuss about vitamins.”
“It was very well done. Lots of time for Q&A.”
“Presentation and presenters were very good, material was delivered at an understandable level.”
“I do use meds for diabetes, neuralgia and hypertension as prescribed. I live in seniors housing and see people falling asleep at the coffee table - will consider asking if they have had a med check recently.”
“I especially enjoyed videos/personal stories.”
“Providing more awareness on the subject through more presentations and promotion.”
Interested in hosting a presentation?
Click on the button below to contact us if you would like to receive the presentation and host a session in your community.