The proliferation of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs): how can radiology departments continue to support them all?

Abstract

• MDTMs improve cancer outcomes and are being recommended for non-oncological conditions. • MDTM cases have more than doubled over 5 years at our institution. • Incorporating MDTM workload into current consultant radiologist job plans is difficult. • Solutions include demonstrating MDTM related benefits, improved efficiency, and accurate job planning.

Improving the effectiveness of cancer multidisciplinary team meetings: analysis of a national survey of MDT members’ opinions about streamlining patient discussions

“…The variation in time spent in MDMs by different professionals may account for the variation in the level of support for streamlining between those in different occupational groups. Oncologists, radiologists and pathologists are more likely to attend multiple MDMs, and also to spend more time preparing for MDM 19 20. This may at least partially explain why they were more likely to agree with streamlining to reduce the number of cases discussed.…”

Clinicians’ perceptions of the quality of outsourced radiology and actions taken around perceived imaging errors in practice

“…This approach is commensurate with the UK published guidelines on standards of practice for radiologists [2]. It has been evidenced that a multi-disciplinary approach can lead to improved cancer outcomes [3], but despite the positive benefits of this approach, the additional time needed to participate in multi-disciplinary meetings places time and workload demands on radiologists [4]. One approach to supporting the radiology workforce issues of workforce capacity and the unrelenting increase in the need for diagnostic imaging in the UK is to outsource radiology reporting to external providers, usually within the private sector [5].…”

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting and Radiologist workload, a prospective review in a tertiary care hospital

“… 3 , 5 - 7 Such a modus operandi is applied in an effort to put together the best minds and bring forth the most effective clinical arsenal for the benefit of the patient. 2 , 8 , 9 Throughout the years MDTMs have been most beneficial in meticulous diagnosis and treatment leading to better outcomes and ultimately greater patient satisfaction. 1 , 2 , 9 , 11 Furthermore, these meetings prove to be valuable platforms for learning and discussing challenging cases.…”

“… 2 , 8 , 9 Throughout the years MDTMs have been most beneficial in meticulous diagnosis and treatment leading to better outcomes and ultimately greater patient satisfaction. 1 , 2 , 9 , 11 Furthermore, these meetings prove to be valuable platforms for learning and discussing challenging cases. 11 …”

“…However, MDTMs themselves necessitate a great deal of organization, management infrastructure and funding to ensure the presence of relevant personnel, the collection and compilation of important patient details and radiological materials. 2 , 8 , 11 , 12 The Radiology department plays a pivotal and unequivocal role in all such meetings since it is the quintessential visual discipline of modern medicine. 2 , 13 The Radiologists must invest their time and energy as well as resources while preserving a professional decorum; so it is only plausible that the amplified workload and increasing pressures so often takes its toll.…”