The development of the TAPER structured clinical pathway is the culmination of years of dedicated research aimed at addressing the growing issue of polypharmacy in older adults. This journey began with a deep understanding of the harmful effects of polypharmacy, and the recognition that reducing medication burden has the potential to improve health outcomes (Building Block #1: Understanding the problem). Building on this foundation, the TAPER pathway was designed, refined, and piloted, providing crucial evidence supporting its potential (Building Block #2: Sustainable polypharmacy model (TAPER): scale and spread). After its initial success, TAPER has now been implemented in real-world clinical settings and is currently being rigorously evaluated through randomized controlled trials (Building Block #3: Implementation and evolution). Finally, efforts have focused on translating this knowledge into practice, ensuring healthcare providers have the tools and understanding to safely and effectively reduce polypharmacy in routine care (Building Block #4: Knowledge translation).
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