Models and Outcomes of Multidisciplinary Clinics in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs) represent a potential platform through which high-quality, patient-centered care grounded in interdisciplinary expertise may be delivered for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This is increasingly important with the rapidly emerging diagnostic and treatment modalities as well as differential sequences of therapies available. MDCs have been reported to improve various outcomes across numerous non-colorectal cancers; however, data specific to the use of MDCs in CRC are more limited. In this report, we provide a narrative review of the different models of CRC MDCs in the literature and their associations with cancer care outcomes. We found significant heterogeneity in MDC operational logistics as well as reported outcomes across different practice settings. Further research is needed to better understand how MDCs may be optimally structured to meet the unique needs of patients with CRC and how they may affect CRC outcomes.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• multidisciplinary clinic
• models
• outcomes