University of Southern California
This project aims to develop and pilot-test a bilingual, patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) web application for individuals with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a condition affecting 16% of U.S. adults annually and significantly impacting quality of life. While endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a recommended treatment for medically refractory cases, many patients experience barriers that lead to surgical hesitancy. Prior research at USC revealed significant disparities in ESS uptake (Odds Ratio = 7.92; 95% Confidence Interval: 2.95-21.28), highlighting the need for more tailored decision support. The PC CDS will include educational resources, Large Language Model-assisted patient narratives, and a provider communication module to facilitate shared decision-making (SDM). The study has three aims: (1) to develop the tool; (2) to evaluate its feasibility in a randomized controlled trial with 50-60 patients from USC clinics; and (3) to assess outcomes using surveys and interviews. Participants will be randomized into either a control group (receiving standard CRS informational handouts) or an intervention group (receiving standard care plus the PC CDS tool). Quantitative surveys will measure treatment choice, decision quality, SDM involvement, CRS knowledge, provider trust, and care satisfaction. Qualitative interviews will explore participants' healthcare journeys and experiences with the tool. Guided by experts in health technology and rhinology and in collaboration with a Patient Advisory Group, the study aims to ensure patient-centered design and lay the groundwork for future implementation and external funding (e.g., AHRQ).
This research aims to develop and pilot-test a patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) web application specifically for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS, which affects approximately 16% of U.S. adults annually, significantly impacts quality of life (QOL). Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a recommended treatment for those unresponsive to medical therapy; however, many patients face unique barriers that contribute to surgical hesitancy and suboptimal outcomes. A previous study conducted at the University of Southern California (USC) revealed significant differences in…
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Patient receiving care at a USC otolaryngology clinic located in Los Angeles, Glendale, La Cañada, or Arcadia * Diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) as defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria * Medically refractory CRS (i.e., persistent symptoms despite appropriate medical therapy) * Considered a candidate for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) by the treating otolaryngologist * English- or Chinese-speaking * Able and willing to provide informed consent * Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer with in…
The intervention is a web-based tool that includes: * Educational content and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about CRS and treatment options * Patient stories from CRS patient interviews with artificial intelligence-assisted narrative writing * A communication tool to support discussions between patients and their doctors * Culturally tailored components, including Chinese language options and culturally relevant narratives Participants will be introduced to the PC CDS during a routine clinic visit or through a scheduled virtual meeting. They will use the tool before making treatment decisions. The tool is designed to be user-friendly and accessible across devices.