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  P02 - Diagnostics and Interventional Pulmonology (ID 110)

  • Event: WCLC 2020
  • Type: Posters
  • Track: Diagnostics and Interventional Pulmonology
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 1/28/2021, 00:00 - 00:00, ePoster Hall

  • 34885

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    P02.08 - A UK Survey of Current Methods for Conducting Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and Opportunities for Digital Solutions. (ID 1561)

    00:00 - 00:00  |  Presenting Author(s): Clarissa Gardner
    • Abstract
    • Slides

    Introduction
    

    Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are a mandatory component of cancer services in the United Kingdom, bringing together specialists in oncology, surgery, radiology, pathology and nursing. They provide a multifaceted approach to decision-making and cancer care. Effective MDT meetings rely on an optimised workflow. However, anecdotal evidence from practitioners in the field suggest that MDT meeting methods vary, leading to workflow challenges and inconsistencies in care-planning. Digital solutions for MDT meetings have emerged that could have the potential to streamline practices. However, no previous studies have assessed their perceived benefits or drawbacks in the UK healthcare system.

    This study sought to investigate the current methods and tools used to conduct MDT meetings and gain an understanding of whether UK healthcare professionals see opportunities for digital solutions for MDT meetings to impact their practice.

    Methods
    

    60 healthcare professionals who participate in lung cancer MDTs in the UK were recruited to participate in an online survey. The survey was designed to capture the current tools and methods for conducting MDT meetings as well as participants’ perceptions of the impact novel digital solutions for the conduct of MDT meetings.

    Results
    

    16 respiratory physicians, 9 oncologists, 12 thoracic surgeons, 10 radiologists, 8 histopathologists and 5 clinical nurse specialists took part in the survey.

    The majority of respondents use more than one tool to conduct MDTs (75%). 83% of respondents use electronic health records (EHR) to conduct MDT meetings, and 55% of respondents overall reported using a combination of the EHR and paper handouts with summaries of the patients’ cases. 48% of respondents reported using Microsoft packages such as PowerPoint, Word and Excel. 20% of respondents also reported using cancer management software (CMSs) such as Somerset, Mosaiq, InfoFlex and CIS. 8% of respondents use radiology software (such as PACS and RIS) and 2% of respondents use microscopes and digital pathology software.

    98% of respondents stated that digital solutions could improve the conduct of MDTs. Opportunities for improvement were suggested as part of the survey with 76% of respondents indicating that digital solutions could improve the display of patient information and images. Respondents stated that solutions could improve knowledge and awareness of eligible clinical trials for patients (66%) and knowledge of treatment guidelines relevant to their patients (61%). Respondents also stated that the quality of discussions (56%), the number of patients discussed in each meeting (53%), and involvement of all attendees (51%) could be improved by digital solutions. Furthermore, 47% of respondents thought that digital solutions could improve the protection of patient data.

    Conclusion
    

    This study provided an overview of some of the methods that are utilised in the UK healthcare system to conduct MDT meetings. The study highlighted common tools that are used to conduct MDT meetings, as well as the variability in their use, and provided some evidence to support the adoption of digital solutions to address MDT workflow challenges.

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