A web-based decision support tool for treatment decision-making in chronic rhinosinusitis

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).