Multidisciplinary breast cancer clinics. Do they work?
BACKGROUND
In an attempt to improve the care they provide for their patients with breast cancer, the authors' institution developed a multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic (MDBCC) to offer "one-stop shopping" consultation and support for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-two patients, the control group for this study, were evaluated at Henry Ford Hospital during the year prior to the opening of the MDBCC. These patients, who were referred in the traditional sequential consultation manner, were compared with the first 177 patients seen during the first year of the clinic's operation. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to assess treatment timeliness, and anonymous questionnaires were used to assess patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
The authors found that the MDBCC increased patient satisfaction by encouraging involvement of patients' families and friends and by helping patients make treatment decisions (P < 0.001). The time between diagnosis and the initiation of treatment was also significantly decreased (42.2 days vs. 29.6 days; P < 0.0008).


CONCLUSIONS
Although planning and operating a multidisciplinary clinic is not a new venture, to the best of the authors' knowledge, they have provided the first report demonstrating the benefits described above.
Gabel
M
M
Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Hilton
N E
NE
Nathanson
S D
SD
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies