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Published on: September 30, 2021
Building the multidisciplinary team for management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Willscott E Naugler1, Angel E Alsina2, Catherine T Frenette3
1Department of Medicine, Division of GI and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Insights
Optimal care for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to coordinate complex patient needs. Building an MDT is feasible across various practices, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Healthcare Management
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management is complex due to competing mortality risks from cancer and cirrhosis.
- No single provider can adequately address all patient needs in HCC care.
- Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are crucial for coordinating care, reassessing clinical course, and adapting treatment plans for HCC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the necessity of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) for optimal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient care.
- To provide a blueprint for assembling an MDT for HCC management.
- To explore the potential of communication technologies in expanding MDT reach.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices and challenges in HCC patient care.
- Conceptual framework for building and integrating MDTs.
- Discussion of technological enablers for remote collaboration.
Main Results:
- MDTs are essential for addressing the multifaceted needs of HCC patients.
- Establishing an MDT is achievable in diverse clinical settings.
- Telecommunication technologies can extend MDT services to underserved areas.
Conclusions:
- The formation of MDTs is vital for effective hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management.
- A structured approach can facilitate MDT assembly in various healthcare environments.
- Further research is needed to quantify the impact of MDTs on clinical outcomes.
Abstract:
Optimal care of the patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) necessitates the involvement of multiple providers. Because the patient with HCC often carries 2 conditions with competing mortality risks (cancer and underlying cirrhosis), no single provider is equipped to deal with all of these patients' needs adequately. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have evolved to facilitate care coordination, reassessments of clinical course, and nimble changes in treatment plans required for this complex group of patients. Providers or sites that elect to manage patients with HCC thus are increasingly aware of the need to build their own MDT or communicate with an established one. The availability of new communication technologies, such as teleconferencing or teleconsultation, offers the possibility of MDT expansion into underserved or rural areas, as well as areas such as correctional facilities. Although the availability of resources for HCC patient care varies from site to site, construction of an MDT is possible in a wide spectrum of clinical practices, and this article suggests a blueprint for assembly of such collaboration. Research strategies are needed to explain how MDTs improve clinical outcomes so that MDTs themselves can be improved.
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