Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Optimizing multidisciplinary team meetings in vascular surgery: Insights and lessons from practice
Maria-Annette Kooijman1, Goudje L van Leeuwen1, Richte Cl Schuurmann2
1Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Objectives:
To describe the structure and content of vascular multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and to assess the implementation of MDT meeting (MDTM) recommendations in clinical practice, including the frequency and reasons for deviations.
Methods:
This prospective observational cohort study evaluated MDT meetings at a tertiary vascular center. The MDT-Metric for the Observation of Decision-making (MDT-MODe) tool was adapted for vascular surgery, and used to score health care professional contributions and the quality of information of topics discussed during MDTMs. After 1 year, medical records were reviewed to assess adherence to MDTM recommendations.
Results:
Twelve MDTMs were evaluated, of which 6 MDTMs including 112 patients were used in the final analysis. Discussion lasted a median of 3 min and 38 s per patient. Imaging was reviewed in 97.1 % of cases, and comorbidities, psychosocial factors, and patient perspectives were discussed in 29.4 %, 11 %, and 8 %, respectively. At the outpatient clinic, MDTM recommendations were adjusted in 20 % of cases, rising to 43 % when interventions were advised. Treatment deviations were often due to frailty, patient preference, or changes in the patient's clinical condition.
Conclusion:
This study found that vascular MDTMs focused primarily on procedural and diagnostic aspects, including imaging, whereas patient comorbidities, psychosocial factors, and preferences were discussed in the minority of cases. This approach may contribute to discrepancies between MDTM recommendations and their adherence. Further research is needed to confirm the impact of this strategy on decision-making and clinical outcomes.
Practice Implications:
The findings underscore the need to enhance vascular MDTMs by adopting a more holistic approach. Strategies such as including additional specialists, and allocating more time for complex cases, couldn better align MDTM recommendations with patient-specific needs. These improvements may enhance adherence to MDTM advice.
Related Concept Videos
03:24Seedless Vascular Plants
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
00:48Optimal Foraging
01:26Optimization Problems
01:16Characteristics of Practical Op Amps
The ratio of differential gain to the common-mode gain is defined as the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). This ratio quantifies the ability of operational amplifiers (op-amps) to reject common-mode...