The Perception and Development of Virtual Multidisciplinary Teams in Oncology in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are a mandatory requirement of modern oncology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual MDTs replaced nearly all face-to-face MDTs. This study evaluated strengths, weaknesses, perceived quality, and outcomes of virtual MDTs compared to face-to-face MDTs. Furthermore, the extent of permanent implementation of virtual MDTs in oncology after COVID-19 was evaluated.

Switzerland-wide, participants of MDTs were surveyed with 44 questions concerning different dimensions of perceived meeting quality and technical aspects. Descriptive and comparative analysis was performed.

In 170 responses, communication discipline, meeting dedication, or perceived quality were rated comparably to standard MDTs. Time efficiency and outcomes of virtual meetings were rated similarly by 68% and 75% of all participants, respectively. Workspace setup did not significantly influence the subjective quality, while surgeons were less likely to rate the quality as good. After COVID-19, 41 (38%) of 108 MDTs have been permanently converted to a virtual format.

A substantial proportion of Swiss MDTs have permanently switched to a purely virtual format or offer a hybrid option. Meeting quality, communication discipline, and dedication were comparable. However, assessing the quality of MDTs remains challenging due to their multifactorial nature.