Mapping Current Organizational Structure and Improvement Points of Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings – An Interview Study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to map current organization, and document potential improvement points of breast cancer multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs), in order to support the optimization of the present breast cancer MDTM organization.

Methods

From January 2019 to February 2021, 24 core team members of the breast cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) in three hospitals were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were performed based on an interview guide. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Deductive coding was performed on the transcripts by two independent researchers. The codes were organized in categories and themes.

Results

In total 24 healthcare professionals; surgeons, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists, radiologists, and specialized nurses, from three different hospitals were interviewed. According to the participants, improving efficiency before and during MDTMs is possible by ensuring proper preparation of attendees, implementing more structure during discussions, improving access to and availability of patient data and optimizing general meeting discipline.

Conclusion

Preparation, structure, data availability and meeting discipline were highlighted as essential factors for efficient breast cancer MDTM improvement. These topics seem to be applicable to other types of oncology MDTMs as well. Improving MDTM efficiency on the long term ensures high-quality discussions for all breast cancer patients.

Keywords:

• breast cancer MDTMs
• breast cancer care efficiency
• optimizing breast cancer care
• MDTM evaluation
• qualitative research

Data Sharing Statement

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Ethics Approval

Ethical approval was not required for this research, since it is not subject to the Dutch law of Medical Research Involving Human Subjects (WMO).

Acknowledgments

This paper and research behind it would not have been possible without the participation of all breast cancer specialists, residents and nurses from the three included hospitals. We greatly appreciate their opinions and participation in this study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

Prof. Dr Mathias Prokop reports grants, personal fees from Siemens Healthineers, during the conduct of the study; grants, personal fees from Canon Medical Systems, personal fees from Bracco, outside the submitted work.

Dr Ritse M Mann reports grants, personal fees, non-financial support from Siemens, grants, personal fees from Bayer, grants, non-financial support from Screenpoint, grants, personal fees, non-financial support from BD, grants, non-financial support from Koning, grants, non-financial support from PA-Imaging, outside the submitted work. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.