Cancer Medicine (Apr 2023)

Evaluation of changes to work patterns in multidisciplinary cancer team meetings due to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A national mixed‐method survey study

  • Tayana Soukup,
  • David Winters,
  • Kia‐Chong Chua,
  • Philip Rowland,
  • Jacqueline Moneke,
  • Ted A. Skolarus,
  • Rasiah Bharathan,
  • Leanne Harling,
  • Anish Bali,
  • Viren Asher,
  • Tasha Gandamihardja,
  • Nick Sevdalis,
  • James S. A. Green,
  • Benjamin W. Lamb

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5608
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
pp. 8729 – 8741

Abstract

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Abstract Background It is not well understood the overall changes that multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have had to make in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, nor the impact that such changes, in addition to the other challenges faced by MDTs, have had on decision‐making, communication, or participation in the context of MDT meetings specifically. Methods This was a mixed method, prospective cross‐sectional survey study taking place in the United Kingdom between September 2020 and August 2021. Results The participants were 423 MDT members. Qualitative findings revealed hybrid working and possibility of virtual attendance as the change introduced because of COVID‐19 that MDTs would like to maintain. However, IT‐related issues, slower meetings, longer lists and delays were identified as common with improving of the IT infrastructure necessary going forward. In contrast, virtual meetings and increased attendance/availability of clinicians were highlighted as the positive outcomes resulting from the change. Quantitative findings showed significant improvement from before COVID‐19 for MDT meeting organisation and logistics (M = 45, SD = 20) compared to the access (M = 50, SD = 12, t(390) = 5.028, p = 0.001), case discussions (M = 50, SD = 14, t(373) = −5.104, p = 0.001), and patient representation (M = 50, SD = 12, t(382) = −4.537, p = 0.001) at MDT meetings. Discussion Our study explored the perception of change since COVID‐19 among cancer MDTs using mixed methods. While hybrid working was preferred, challenges exist. Significant improvements in the meeting organisation and logistics were reported. Although we found no significant perceived worsening across the four domains investigated, there was an indication in this direction for the case discussions warranting further ‘live’ assessments of MDT meetings.

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