title: Chronic rhinosinusitis: patient experiences of primary and secondary care - a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experience of CRS and its management from the perspective of patients with CRS. To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study exploring sinus disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  ENT outpatient clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one adult patients with CRS: 11 male, 10 female. Patients suffered from a range of types of CRS (including polyps and fungal disease) and differing durations of symptoms (1.5-47 years). Participants were purposively selected. Thematic analysis was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient experience of CRS and its management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients had concerns regarding management of their symptoms by both healthcare professionals and themselves, including delays to referral and repeated medications. They reported reduced quality of life and high financial and psychosocial costs associated with living with CRS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite guidelines for CRS treatment, outcomes remain variable leading to dissatisfaction with treatment. Adherence to existing guidelines may result in fewer repeated consultations in primary care and earlier referrals to secondary care.
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology, James Paget Hospital, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Erskine
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Verkerk
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Notley
authors.affiliation: Primary Medical Care, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology, James Paget Hospital, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1125-3236
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Philpott
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult