Is there a Benefit of Multidisciplinary Cancer Team Meetings for Patients with Gastrointestinal Malignancies?

Abstract

BackgroundMultidisciplinary cancer team meetings are intended to optimize the diagnosis of a patient with a malignancy. The aim of this study was to assess the number of correct diagnoses formulated by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and whether MDT decisions were implemented.MethodsIn a prospective study, data of consecutive patients discussed at gastrointestinal oncology MDT meetings were studied, and MDT diagnoses were validated with pathology or follow-up. Factors of influence on the correct diagnosis were identified by use of a Poisson regression model. Electronic patient records were used to assess whether MDT decisions were implemented, and reasons to deviate from these decisions were hand-searched within these records.ResultsIn 74 MDT meetings, 551 patients were discussed a total of 691 times. The MDTs formulated a correct diagnosis for 515/551 patients (93.4 %), and for 120/551 (21.8 %) patients the MDT changed the referral diagnosis. Of the MDT diagnoses, 451/515 (87.6 %) were validated with pathology. Patients presented to the MDT by their treating physician were 20 % more likely to receive a correct diagnosis [relative risk (RR) 1.2, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.5], while the number of patients discussed or the duration of the meeting had no influence on this (RR 1.0, 95 % CI 0.99–1.0; RR 1.0, 95 % CI 0.9–1.1; resp.). MDT decisions were implemented in 94.4 % of cases. Deviations of MDT decisions occurred when a patient’s wishes or physical condition were not taken into account.ConclusionsMDTs rectify 20 % of the referral diagnoses. The presence of the treating physician is the most important factor to ensure a correct diagnosis and adherence to the treatment plan.

Anxiety during cancer diagnosis: Examining the influence of monitoring coping style and treatment plan

“…The present study was performed at the Gastrointestinal Oncological Center Amsterdam (GIOCA). The GIOCA clinic, located at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic that specializes in fast‐track diagnosis and treatment planning within 1 day . Patients visiting this tertiary referral clinic have already an initial cancer diagnosis or are already highly suspected to have malignancies.…”

Referral rates to multidisciplinary team meetings: Is there disparity between tumour streams?

“…Given the increasing complexity of cancer treatment, it is essential that health professionals work as a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for patients. There are several studies that show MDTs improve cancer outcomes, reduce time from diagnosis to treatment, improve patient satisfaction and recruitment to trials and provide ongoing education for clinicians . A study performed in the Netherlands found that MDTs corrected 20% of referral diagnoses in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies .…”

“…There are several studies that show MDTs improve cancer outcomes, reduce time from diagnosis to treatment, improve patient satisfaction and recruitment to trials and provide ongoing education for clinicians. [1][2][3][4] A study performed in the Netherlands found that MDTs corrected 20% of referral diagnoses in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. 1 This is supported by multiple studies covering various tumour streams that show MDTs impact the management of patients, including diagnosis and treatment plans.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] A study performed in the Netherlands found that MDTs corrected 20% of referral diagnoses in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. 1 This is supported by multiple studies covering various tumour streams that show MDTs impact the management of patients, including diagnosis and treatment plans. 2 One such study of patients with prostate cancer who participated in a multidisciplinary clinic approach were found to have improved survival rates when compared with national data.…”

Structured Data Acquisition in Oncology

“…Since the conference usually takes place at a fixed time during the week, it highly depends on the completeness of the information and the availability of specialists at a certain time point with little or no flexibility. The hospitals' shift system cannot ensure this requirement, which means that important decisions may be postponed to the next conference [24][25][26].…”