Observational studyCancer medicine2023
Investigating the efficiency of lung multi-disciplinary team meetings-A mixed methods study of eight lung multi-disciplinary teams.
Observational study in Cancer medicine, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Tumour boards and their quality of structures, processes, and team performance in multidisciplinary cancer care: a systematic review.BMC health services research · 2026Pooled it
- Streamlining urology cancer multidisciplinary team meetings: Implementation and outcomes.BJUI compass · 2026Article
- Association between treatment decisions and survival outcomes in lung cancer patients under a multidisciplinary team model: the impact of MDT-recommended treatment plans on treatment completion rates, survival time, and treatment conversion.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
- Comparison of treatment outcomes in propensity score matched primary lung cancer patients offered anatomical lung resection or oncological treatment following a thoracic high risk multidisciplinary team meeting.Annals of translational medicine · 2025Article
- Balancing thrombosis and hemorrhage: anticoagulation-free VA-ECMO with a multidisciplinary strategy for cerebellar hemorrhage complicated by takotsubo syndrome.BMC anesthesiology · 2025Article
- The interstitial lung disease patient pathway: from referral to diagnosis.ERJ open research · 2025Article
- [Current Situation and Future Direction of Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer].Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer · 2024Review
- Significance of Multidisciplinary Teams for Patients with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Diseases: An Observational Retrospective Study in a General Hospital in China.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2024Article
- Investigating the efficiency of lung multi-disciplinary team meetings-A mixed methods study of eight lung multi-disciplinary teams.Cancer medicine · 2023Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMultidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs), where treatment recommendations are discussed and agreed, are fundamental to effective cancer care. The increasing volume and complexity of caseloads has led to the need to transform MDTM pathways to improve efficiency and allow sufficient time for discussion of complex cases. Understanding of current functioning and inefficiencies is required to inform such transformation.
methodsA mixed-methods observational study of all lung cancer MDTMs in one UK cancer network over 12 weeks (n = 8 MDTs, 96 MDT meetings). Data were collected on meeting attendance and on each discussed case using a validated MDT tool. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of MDT members and cancer service managers to gain understanding of perceived influences on the efficiency of MDTMs.
resultsIn total, 1671 case discussions were observed. Models of MDT working, including referral and diagnostic pathway management, varied within the network. Attendance was quorate in only 21% of the observed MDTMs, most often lacking palliative care specialists. Over a third (37%) of observed cases were repeat discussions pre-diagnosis. Treatment recommendations were agreed in 48% of case discussions but deferred for a quarter (24%) of discussed cases, most commonly due to awaiting results. Information about patients' fitness for treatment and/or performance status score was available for 60% of cases discussed overall (30%-75% by MDT). Interviews (n = 56) identified addressing clinical and administrative workforce shortages, less reliance on the MDTM for pre-diagnostic decision-making and better availability of key clinical information about patients discussed in the MDTM as factors critical to improved MDT function.
conclusionsInefficiencies were prevalent in all MDTMs; improvements would require an individualised approach due to the variation in ways of working. Local, regional and national support is needed for lung MDTs to develop their diagnostic workforce and facilities, and clinical and administrative resource.
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