BACKGROUND: In February 2015, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) published the Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Practice Guideline (AR-CPG). The objective of this study was to assess otolaryngologists' perception of the accuracy and adherence to the AR-CPG. METHODS: A survey was distributed to fellows of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. A total of 601 otolaryngologists responded. The survey evaluated otolaryngologists' demographic data, perception of the accuracy of the guideline, and adherence to the guideline action statements. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were actively practicing (544 [90.5%]), for a duration of 11-30 years (308 [51.2%]), in a private practice setting (387 [64.4%]). The cohort was largely fellowship trained (348 [57.9%]) and had reviewed the guideline (428 [71.2%]). Most respondents perceived the guideline as being correct "a great deal" (295 [69.7%]) and deviated from the guideline "only a little" (302 [71.6%]). High rates of adherence to the strong guideline recommendations were observed. Respondents "always/most of the time" recommended intranasal steroids (581 [97.6%]), and oral antihistamines (439 [74%]) as primary therapy. Otolaryngologists in practice for longer were more likely to deviate from the guideline recommendations by obtaining sinonasal imaging (p = 0.007) and recommending oral leukotriene receptor antagonists as primary therapy (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Overall perception of the correctness of and adherence to the AR-CPG was high in this cohort. Targeted education resources should be provided to otolaryngologists in practice for longer in efforts to reduce harmful or unnecessary variations in care.
BACKGROUND: In February 2015, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) published the Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Practice Guideline (AR-CPG). The objective of this study was to assess otolaryngologists' perception of the accuracy and adherence to the AR-CPG. METHODS: A survey was distributed to fellows of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. A total of 601 otolaryngologists responded. The survey evaluated otolaryngologists' demographic data, perception of the accuracy of the guideline, and adherence to the guideline action statements. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were actively practicing (544 [90.5%]), for a duration of 11-30 years (308 [51.2%]), in a private practice setting (387 [64.4%]). The cohort was largely fellowship trained (348 [57.9%]) and had reviewed the guideline (428 [71.2%]). Most respondents perceived the guideline as being correct "a great deal" (295 [69.7%]) and deviated from the guideline "only a little" (302 [71.6%]). High rates of adherence to the strong guideline recommendations were observed. Respondents "always/most of the time" recommended intranasal steroids (581 [97.6%]), and oral antihistamines (439 [74%]) as primary therapy. Otolaryngologists in practice for longer were more likely to deviate from the guideline recommendations by obtaining sinonasal imaging (p = 0.007) and recommending oral leukotriene receptor antagonists as primary therapy (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Overall perception of the correctness of and adherence to the AR-CPG was high in this cohort. Targeted education resources should be provided to otolaryngologists in practice for longer in efforts to reduce harmful or unnecessary variations in care.
Authors: Nicholas Mildenhall; Adam Honeybrook; Thomas Risoli; Sarah B Peskoe; Amie Kim; David Kaylie Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2019-11-15 Impact factor: 3.325