Neves IT, et al. - In this cross-sectional, observational study of 329 physicians (56% family physicians; mean age was 44.10 ± 15.2 years), researchers described the beliefs and attitudes of Portuguese physicians with respect to prescription, management challenges, benefits, risks, and withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines (BZD). In addition to a negative impact on cognitive function (89%), BZDs were reported to be associated with road traffic accidents (88%) and falls (79%), according to participants. In cases where the patient felt better and experience no adverse events, 58% of physicians believed that chronic use may be justified. Although physicians had adequate awareness about risks of chronic BZD use, there is still a room for improvement in their attitudes and self-perceived skills towards promoting BZD withdrawal, noted the study authors.