Use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in cancer multidisciplinary team meetings: an explorative study based on EU healthcare professionals

Abstract

ObjectivesMultidisciplinary teams in cancer care are increasingly using information and communication technology (ICT), hospital health information system (HIS) functionalities and ICT-driven care components. We aimed to explore the use of these tools in multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) and to identify the critical challenges posed by their adoption based on the perspective of professionals representatives from European scientific societies.DesignThis qualitative study used discussion of cases and focus group technique to generate data. Thematic analysis was applied.SettingHealthcare professionals working in a multidisciplinary cancer care environment.ParticipantsSelection of informants was carried out by European scientific societies in accordance with professionals’ degree of experience in adopting the implementation of ICT and from different health systems.ResultsProfessionals representatives of 9 European scientific societies were involved. Up to 10 ICTs, HIS functionalities and care components are embedded in the informational and decision-making processes along three stages of MTMs. ICTs play a key role in opening MTMs to other institutions (eg, by means of molecular tumour boards) and information types (eg, patient-reported outcome measures), and in contributing to the internal efficiency of teams. While ICTs and care components have their own challenges, the information technology context is characterised by the massive generation of unstructured data, the lack of interoperability between systems from different hospitals and HIS that are conceived to store and classify information rather than to work with it.ConclusionsThe emergence of an MTM model that is better integrated in the wider health system context and incorporates inputs from patients and support systems make traditional meetings more dynamic and interconnected. Although these changes signal a second transition in the development process of multidisciplinary teams, they occur in a context marked by clear gaps between the information and management needs of MTMs and the adequacy of current HIS.

Mixed Reality as a Digital Visualisation Solution for the Head and Neck Tumour Board: Application Creation and Implementation Study

“…The multidisciplinary tumour board is an evidence-based organisational approa implement a more effective approach to tumour therapy for patients [28,29]. The prov of relevant information is important in order to plan interdisciplinary oncolo treatment according to the guidelines and by consensus [30][31][32]. Against the backgro of increasing digitalisation in everyday clinical practice, we have developed an imme 3D user interface to adequately visualise patient-related data in a simulated HNTB The software platform integrates a virtual 3D model of oncological patients, based on CT or MRI scans, as well as other radiological and clinical data and illustrative imag a MR environment.…”

Facilitators and barriers to conducting an efficient, competent and high-quality oncological multidisciplinary team meeting

“…29 However, it should be noted that the COVID-pandemic has accelerated improvements in ICT-capabilities. 30 Further future improvements should focus on expanding opportunities of the use of artificial intelligence and computerised decision support systems. 31 32 Another challenge in improving MDTMs lies in optimising communication and collaboration between medical specialists and residents of different specialties and recognising their educational value in this respect.…”

“…Furthermore, Janssen et al 29 found that ICT is underused for providing feedback and real-time data collection 29. However, it should be noted that the COVID-pandemic has accelerated improvements in ICT-capabilities 30. Further future improvements should focus on expanding opportunities of the use of artificial intelligence and computerised decision support systems 31 32…”