Multidisciplinary cancer team meeting structure and treatment decisions: a prospective correlational study.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Anecdotally, organizational factors appear to have an effect on the quality of decision-making in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. We assess the effect of the number of team-members present, number and order of cases, and the timing of meetings on the process of decision-making in MDT meetings. METHODS: Between December 2009 and January 2010, data were prospectively collected on treatment decisions, meeting characteristics, quality of information, and teamworking for all cases discussed at a London-based MDT meeting. Variables measured using a validated assessment tool (MDT MODe) and correlational analyses were performed. RESULTS: Treatment decisions were reached in 254 of 298 (85%) cases. Cases toward the end of meetings were associated with lower rates of decision-making, information quality, and teamworking (r = -0.15 to -0.37). Increased number of cases per meeting and team members in attendance were associated with better information and teamworking (r = 0.29-0.43). More time per case was associated with improved teamworking (r = 0.16). A positive correlation was obtained between ability to reach decisions and improved information and teamworking (r = 0.36-0.54; all P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Organizational factors related to the structure of the MDT meeting are associated with variation in the likelihood of reaching a treatment decision. Further research is required to establish causation and to modify such factors in order to improve the quality of cancer care.

Authors: Lamb, B; Sevdalis, N; Benn, J; Vincent, C; Green, J

• Journal: Annals of surgical oncology
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 715-722
• Publication date: 2013-03-01
• DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2691-x
• EISSN: 1534-4681
• ISSN: 1068-9265
• Language: English
• Keywords: Prospective Studies; Interdisciplinary Communication; Physician's Practice Patterns; Humans; Neoplasms; Decision Making; Patient Care Team; Medical Oncology; Quality of Health Care