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Teamwork and Team Decision-making at Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences: Barriers, Facilitators, and Opportunities for Improvement

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Abstract

Background

Anecdotally, multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) do not always function optimally. MCC members’ experiences with and attitudes toward MCCs are explored, and barriers to and facilitators of effective team-working are identified.

Methods

A total of 19 semistructured interviews were conducted with surgeons, oncologists, nurses, and administrators. Interviews explored participants’ opinions on MCC attendance, information presentation, case discussion, leadership, team decision-making, and possible improvements to MCC meetings.

Results

Nonattendance was associated with not having protected time to attend the MCC. Contributions to MCC discussions were unequal among the participants, and patient-centered information was ignored. Good leadership was necessary to foster inclusive case discussion. Members were positive about MCCs, but protected time, improved case selection, and working in a more structured way were possible improvements.

Conclusions

Results are consistent with previous research: Members of the MCC are positive about the benefits of MCCs, although improving the way MCCs work is a goal.

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Acknowledgments

The National Institute for Health Research supported this research through the Imperial Centre for Patient Safety and Service Quality and Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust R&D Department.

Conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, 5th Floor Medical School Building, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, W2 1PG, UK

    Benjamin W. Lamb, Nick Sevdalis, Sonal Arora, Anna Pinto & Charles Vincent

  2. Department of Urology, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London, E11 1NR, UK

    Benjamin W. Lamb & James S. A. Green

Authors
  1. Benjamin W. Lamb
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  2. Nick Sevdalis
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  3. Sonal Arora
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  4. Anna Pinto
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  5. Charles Vincent
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  6. James S. A. Green
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Correspondence to Benjamin W. Lamb.

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Lamb, B.W., Sevdalis, N., Arora, S. et al. Teamwork and Team Decision-making at Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences: Barriers, Facilitators, and Opportunities for Improvement. World J Surg 35, 1970–1976 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1152-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1152-1

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