Setting up a parathyroid multidisciplinary team meeting: one year's experience, outcomes and learning points

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Parathyroid pathology requires specialized and coordinated care.
• Existing referral pathways may lack efficiency and optimal patient management strategies.
• Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings can enhance complex case management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a parathyroid multidisciplinary team meeting.
• To improve and streamline services for patients with parathyroid pathology.
• To assess the effectiveness of the MDT meeting through member perception.

Main Methods:

• Data collection on new hyperparathyroidism referrals and patient outcomes.
• Analysis of surgical recommendations, conservative management, and further imaging needs.
• A survey was administered to MDT members to gauge meeting effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Seventy-nine new referrals were discussed over one year.
• Management decisions included 43% surgery, 41% conservative/medical management, and 16% further imaging.
• Pre-meeting imaging (ultrasound, SPECT/CT, sestamibi) was utilized in 92% of cases, with ultrasounds performed by consultant radiologists.

Conclusions:

• The parathyroid MDT meeting was successful in enhancing patient care.
• Perceived benefits include improved imaging evaluation and referral pathway efficiency.
• The MDT approach leads to more appropriate and effective patient management strategies.