Analysis of organizational approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: results of a survey of otolaryngologists.

Chronic rhinosinusitis in the structure of all ENT pathology is one of the most common chronic diseases associated with significant socioeconomic costs due to loss of ability to work and high costs of treating patients. The purpose of this study is to study organizational technologies in terms of diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the maxillary sinuses based on data obtained as a result of a continuous survey of otolaryngologists in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. A content analysis of the literature and regulatory framework on the topic under study was carried out. The main research method was the sociological method, namely, a survey of 603 otolaryngologists from 39 constituent entities of the Russian Federation using the original questionnaire «The role of the human potential of otolaryngologists in preventing medical risks when providing medical care to patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillary sinus». Results and discussion. The average age of respondents was 43.7±9.4 years, of which 47.1% were men. The median length of service in the specialty was 8.0 years. At the same time, 76.5% of respondents indicated that they referred patients with chronic diseases of the maxillary sinuses to the hospital. Among the necessary diagnostic tests, 82.4% of respondents noted anterior rhinoscopy, endoscopy of the nasal cavity, radiography and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, as well as a complete blood count. However, 17.6% of the surveyed doctors did not indicate all the diagnostic methods. Only 13.7% of respondents indicated the need to consult related specialists. 83.3% of doctors referred patients for further treatment in the hospital. In most cases, the purpose of the referral was surgical treatment. The need for preoperative preparation before polypectomy was indicated by 91.0% of doctors for all patients, 7.5% of doctors indicated the need for preparation only in case of lung pathology and 5.1% in case of other concomitant pathologies. The need for repeated computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses in the postoperative period was indicated by 44.1% of doctors, after 6 months – 72.9% of doctors. Conclusion. The conducted study emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to the organization of treatment and diagnostic measures in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and the need to improve the availability of medical care (including high-tech), increase patient awareness through health schools, standardize approaches and strengthen interdisciplinary interaction in order to improve the effectiveness of patient treatment.