Problem-Based Learning: A Patient With Nasal Congestion

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Problem-based learning (PBL) is an interactive, case-based educational forum. Studies have shown that didactic lectures, which are the most common type of continuing medical education, do not have an impact on health care providers' professional practices and do not change their behavior or patient outcomes. However, studies have shown that interactive programs (like PBL) change physician behavior and do produce measurable positive changes in professional practices leading to improved patient outcomes. PBL is an interactive case-based format that progressively discloses relevant clinical data while participants are encouraged to actively think through the case just as they would in their offices or clinics.

Led by a comprehensive otolaryngologist and an expert rhinologist, the participants will work through a case-based scenario of a patient with nasal congestion in this PBL workshop. Elements of the patient's history, office endoscopy, CT sinus imaging, laboratory results, and surgical and pathology findings will be used to guide the participants in determining the etiology and/or endotype of the disease. Then the discussion will focus on treatment strategies and will be guided by the participants' input regarding use of nasal steroid rinses, exhalation delivery system with steroids, systemic steroids, aspirin desensitization (if appropriate), biologics/monoclonal antibodies, when to proceed with surgery, and the extent of surgery to be performed, etc. Potential cases include allergic rhinitis, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, and nasal polyps. Join us for this PBL session and we hope that you will agree that interactive educational activities such as PBL programs are far superior to traditional didactic lectures.