title: Teamwork and team decision-making at multidisciplinary cancer conferences: barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for improvement.
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.
authors: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, 5th Floor Medical School Building, St. Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1PG, UK. benjamin.lamb@imperial.ac.uk
authors: Benjamin W
authors: BW
authors: Lamb
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Sevdalis
authors: Sonal
authors: S
authors: Arora
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Pinto
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Vincent
authors: James S A
authors: JS
authors: Green
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