Rhinosinusitis
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Course Description
The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists approved prescribing for respiratory tract and ear infections (acute sinusitis, acute otitis media, acute otitis externa) in 2024 in accordance with a research protocol at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics (CPPCC) in Nova Scotia. Prescribing for these conditions is in addition to prescribing for streptococcus pharyngitis that was approved for all pharmacists by the NSCP Council earlier in 2024.Ìý
The module below on sinusitis is part of a larger educational program on management of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) being developed through research funding from Shoppers Drug Mart.Ìý This research funding is supporting a project that aims toÌýdevelop and evaluate an educational toolkit for pharmacists managing URTIs in the community.ÌýÌý
This module is being released for those practicing in CPPCC sites in advance of other modules that are currently under development.ÌýThe full educational program will be available through this research project in spring 2025 for those looking for additional training opportunities.Ìý
Stay tuned for more information to follow in the coming weeks on how you can participate in this research project and access more training. |
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Module - Rhinosinusitis
Presenters: Paul Bonnar & Emma Reid
The program is intended to equip pharmacists with the knowledge and resources required to assess a patient presenting with symptoms of acute sinusitis and prescribe or refer as appropriate. The learner will:
- review the pathophysiology and etiology of sinusitis;
- should be able to explain the reasoning for the inclusion and exclusionÌý criteria for pharmacist prescribing of sinusitis in Nova Scotia;
- identify steps to diagnosing a patient presenting with suspected sinusitisÌý including a physical examination;
- evaluate a patient for complications secondary to sinusitis and be able toÌý refer appropriately according to their severity;
- explain how to therapeutically manage sinusitis while considering patientÌý specific factors;
- discuss the importance of delaying antibiotics at a patient level;
- and develop a counselling strategy that ensures that patients are provided with proper education regarding both sinusitis and its therapeutic management.
