Abstract Rationale Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) causes substantial morbidity and diminishes quality of life. CRSwNP is often comorbid with asthma, a condition under the purview of pulmonologists. Given this overlap, pulmonologists must have an in-depth understanding of CRSwNP to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Biologic therapies addressing type 2 inflammation, already a target for asthma treatment, are increasingly being assessed in CRSwNP. However, clinicians report challenges staying current with best practices for integrating these therapies into individualized treatment plans and appropriately monitoring treatment response to guide ongoing management decisions. Methods Two online adaptive learning programs aimed at improving pulmonologists’ knowledge, competence, and confidence in CRSwNP management were evaluated. Outcomes included pre/post activity assessments and confidence ratings. Open-ended feedback explored pulmonologists’ roles in CRSwNP care and collaborations with otolaryngology and allergy colleagues. Results 2,521 pulmonologists participated. Data revealed gains in knowledge and skills across core assessment areas. Learners in both programs (2022 N = 293; 2024 N = 285) demonstrated pre/post improvements ranging from 12 to 38 percentage points (ppt) in assessments testing ability to identify candidates for biologic therapy (2022: 81% to 98%; 2024: 73% to 85%); skills integrating biologic therapy into patient management plans (2022: 89% to 97%; 2024: 77% to 94%) and ability to assess response to biologics (2022: 42% to 80%; 2024: 69% to 84%). Confidence levels increased on average 21ppt in 2022 and 17ppt in 2024. Pulmonologists’ greatest area of strength across both activities was understanding of the relationship between CRSwNP and other type 2 inflammatory disorders. An area of opportunity remains ability to appropriately assess response to biologic therapy in people with CRSwNP; however baseline competence on this measure increased substantially from 2022 to 2024 (42% to 69%).Among 35 pulmonologists providing qualitative feedback, 80% reported participating in CRSwNP management, collaborating most frequently with ENTs (89%) and less often with allergists (51%). Related surveys found that 92% of ENTs (N = 25) and 48% of allergists (N = 50) reported co-management with pulmonologists (Figure1). ENTs frequently described pulmonologists as essential partners in the care of patients receiving biologics, reflecting an increasing interdisciplinary approach. Conclusions Adaptive online learning effectively enhanced pulmonologists’ knowledge and confidence in CRSwNP management, particularly in integrating biologics and assessing treatment response. The high engagement of pulmonologists in these educational initiatives, together with co-management survey data, highlights pulmonologists’ expanding role in multidisciplinary CRSwNP care. Continued educational efforts and interdisciplinary collaboration are likely to improve coordination and patient outcomes in this shared disease space. This abstract is funded by: The activity this data is based on was supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc and Sanofi
Boyd et al. (Fri,) studied this question.