Patient and Public Outreach Initiatives in Chronic Rhinosinusitis from the Canadian Sinusitis Working Group: Support for Affected Patients and Extending an Understanding of CRS to the General Public

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis is an important disease entity that affects patients worldwide, yet there is limited public awareness regarding the disease. The Canadian Rhinosinusitis Working Group, a group of diverse medical professionals, has made a multitude of efforts to help improve the health literacy of patients and important stakeholders, as well as the quality of life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. This review will aim to outline these initiatives.

A framework for quality measurement in the presurgical care of chronic rhinosinusitis: a review from the Quality Improvement Committee of the American Rhinologic Society

“…were most important to both patients and providers, with QOL a distant second‐place outcome of importance, followed by outcomes regarding the need for further treatment and side effects. Second is a study from a Canadian population that outlines 1 of the first large‐scale attempts to increase the knowledge base of the public regarding CRS . While specific patient preference and shared decision‐making strategies are not discussed in this investigation, the study outlines an effort to empower the general public and improve their health literacy, an important first step in improving patient‐centered initiatives.…”

Barosinusitis due to routine weather changes: A cross‐sectional analysis of public websites

“…4 Despite its prevalence, there is evidence that the general population tends to have a poor understanding of the pathophysiology of sinusitis. 5 Therefore, analyzing the public's perception of sinusitis can provide important insights for physicians who are tasked with counseling their patients as well as the general public on this condition.…”

“…This diagnosis carries a significant disease burden with high associated health care costs, 2,3 and accounts for more antibiotic prescribing in the United States than any other diagnosis 4 . Despite its prevalence, there is evidence that the general population tends to have a poor understanding of the pathophysiology of sinusitis 5 . Therefore, analyzing the public's perception of sinusitis can provide important insights for physicians who are tasked with counseling their patients as well as the general public on this condition.…”

Distributed monitoring of sinonasal symptoms using a mobile device application—a pilot study

“…Few PROM apps have been implemented in other fields for symptom management and improving mutual participation, including a radiotherapy app for prostate cancer. 7 In the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) field, we noted the commendable "Rhinosinusitis Toolbox" app, 8 though this appears to be more of an educational and outreach tool than one for automated PROM.…”