Characterizing Different Multidisciplinary Team Models Implemented Within One Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Multidisciplinary Teamwork (MDTW) is considered best practice in oncology.
• MDTW encompasses Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTM) and Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinics (MDCC).
• Current implementation of MDTW models is heterogeneous across cancer centers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the various Multidisciplinary Teamwork (MDTW) models implemented in a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• To analyze the composition, aims, and patient populations of different MDTWs.
• To assess the utilization of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) within MDTWs.

Main Methods:

• Structured interviews with clinical unit directors to identify MDTW activities.
• Data collection on MDTW type, team composition, aims, disease phase, and PROM usage.
• Descriptive analyses and Social Network Analysis (SNA) to map team interactions.

Main Results:

• 25 Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTM) and 13 Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinics (MDCC) were identified.
• Teams primarily comprised physicians; involvement of case managers, palliative care, and psychologists was limited, especially for early-stage disease.
• MDTWs primarily aimed to integrate specialist skills and optimize patient care pathways for both diagnostic and advanced disease stages.
• Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) were infrequently used (24% MDTM, 23% MDCC).
• Social Network Analysis revealed similar team density, but isolated nodes (pathologists, radiologists) in MDCCs.

Conclusions:

• Despite high engagement for advanced cancers, palliative care specialists, psychologists, and nurses have limited involvement in MDTWs.
• The heterogeneous implementation of MDTW models may impact comprehensive patient care.
• Further research is needed to optimize team composition and PROM integration in MDTWs.