The multidisciplinary team meeting in the UK from the patients’ perspective: comments and observations from cholangiocarcinoma patients and their families

Abstract

Helen Morement,1 Rachel Harrison,2 Simon D Taylor-Robinson3 1AMMF – The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity, Enterprise House, Stansted, Essex, 2Department of South East Asia, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 3Division of Digestive Health, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK Background: The multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting has become the hallmark for cancer care in the UK. While standardizing care through adherence to guidelines, the MDT process can make the decision-making process somewhat remote from the patient perspective. The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity (AMMF) is the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity and is at the forefront of patient empowerment for those with this condition and for their families. It provides much needed support not only via personal contact but also through its website and on the social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter. Methods: AMMF conducted a survey of patient attitudes to and experience of the MDT process through a simple questionnaire posted on Facebook in 2014. We report the results of the responses received, which we believe are worthy of further thought. Findings: In the main, while treatment decisions are not queried, there is distress at the lack of involvement, the lack of representation, the lack of communication and at not knowing who to approach for answers to questions. Conclusion: This snapshot, although small, provides some insight to clinicians not to forget the constituency they serve, as communication is all important. Keywords: cholangiocarcinoma, multidisciplinary team meeting, management, patient perspectives

Keywords

• cholangiocarcinoma
• multidisciplinary team meeting
• management
• patient perspectives