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Cancer patient management: role of multidisciplinary teams
  1. Tuan Trong Luu
  1. Management & Marketing Department, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Tuan Trong Luu, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia; luutrongtuan{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Objectives As a cancer model recommended by numerous governments and health care systems, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) can improve clinical decision-making and overall patient care quality. This paper aims to discuss key elements and resources, as well as contingencies for effectiveness MDTs and their meetings.

Methods We derived elements, resources, and contingencies for effective MDTs by analyzing articles on the themes of MDTs and MDT meetings.

Results This paper identifies key elements comprising MDT characteristics, team governance, infrastructure for MDM, MDM organization, MDM logistics, and clinical decision-making in light of patient-centeredness. Resources that facilitate an MDM functioning consist of human resources and non-human resources. The paper further detects barriers to the sustainable performance of MDTs and provide suggestions for improving their functioning in light of patients’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives.

Conclusions MDTs are vital to cancer care through enabling healthcare professionals with diversity of clinical specialties to collaborate and formulate optimal treatment recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed cancer.

  • cancer
  • hospital care

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003039

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors TTL is the corresponding author of this paper. He has developed the concept and design of the paper. He has also conducted the review of the articles and interpreted the themes from the articles.

    • Funding The author has not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.