A Observational Study of the Multisciplinary team role (MDT) on Healthcare Management of Cancer Patients: Benefits and Barriers, AbuDhabi 2017
Background: Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are designed to optimize patient outcomes. It appears intuitive that MDTs are essential to clinical decision-making and patient management; however, it is unclear whether that belief is supported by evidence(1). With regard to cancer patients, st...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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College of Medicine University of Baghdad
2019-07-01
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| Series: | مجلة كلية الطب |
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| Online Access: | http://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/890 |
| Summary: | Background:
Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are designed to optimize patient outcomes. It appears intuitive that MDTs are essential to clinical decision-making and patient management; however, it is unclear whether that belief is supported by evidence(1). With regard to cancer patients, studies demonstrated that treatment plans made by interacting health care professionals are more effective than those made by individual practitioners.
Objectives: Our objectives were to assess the hypothesis addressing the impact of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Multi-disciplinary meetings (MDMs) in which medical and allied health care experts consider relevant guidlines and collaboratively agreed on a decision regarding diagnosis, prognosis or treatment for a patient have been found to lead to better decisions than those made by sole physicians(2) .
Methods: A hypothesis statement for evidence that indicates if MDTs can reduce mortality and improve quality of life in cancer patients. The question is either to reject the hypothesis statement (H0): A negative outcome of a multidisciplinary healthcare approach, or to accept the alternative hypothesis (Ha) said the beneficial impact of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach. The online survey used consisting of 10 parts, that was distributed via email to a selected set of physicians and subspecialties experts in surgical oncology, general surgery, oncology, radiation oncology, pathologists, and administrative staff. A minimum of 40 responses had to be collected to ensure a statistical basis on which to draw sound conclusions. The survey followed by an interpretation of the respondents results and correlation with literatures done.
Results: The strongest and most consistent survey responses was that participants believed there is a value to MDMs despite the current obstacles. All answers besides do support the hypothesis that MDT meetings had an impact on cancer patient management. A total of 69% participants chose” strongly agree”, supporting the hypothesis that MDT meetings ensure an effective and up to date management guidelines. This means a risk in not discussing a cancer patient cannot be neglected any longer. So the hypothesis statement (H0) is rejected and the alternative statement (Ha) is accepted.
Conclusions: The majority of participants saw value in the MDT process and expressed support for its implementation locally and nationally; however, feedback suggests the most appropriate format is yet to be established. Participants identified the need for agreed standards in MDT performance. |
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| ISSN: | 0041-9419 2410-8057 |