The value of multidisciplinary team meetings within an early pregnancy assessment unit

Abstract

This is the first study to ascertain the value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings within an early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU). Our national telephone survey identified that in the United Kingdom, overall 37% of EPAU utilise regular MDT meetings. Secondary and tertiary hospitals are just as likely to hold regular MDT meetings. The participants in our interview study expressed the principal benefits of regular MDT meetings as communication, education and effective stress management. The perceived additional benefits included improved care quality, better patient experience and enhanced team cohesion. During the meetings, at least, one representative from every tier of staffing was present. The caseload of the MDT meeting comprised ectopic pregnancies and pregnancies of unknown location. We propose a number of research studies, which would build on this study. Such efforts will help enhance the effectiveness of the MDT-based EPAU service.

Keywords::

• Early pregnancy
• ectopic pregnancy
• care quality
• MDT meeting
• patient safety

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the participants in the interview study for their contributions and the administrative staff in retrieving patient records.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.