Multidisciplinary team approach in breast cancer: a nationwide survey in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
This assesses the current workings of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings across Korea through surgeons' reports and their current commitments to MDT meetings pertaining to breast cancer, and to determine any perceived areas of potential improvement.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent out to 307 members of The Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS) who worked at comprehensive or university medical centers in Korea. The mailing lists of the KBCS members were obtained with the approval of the society. From December 2008 to February 2009, the survey was distributed by surface and electronic mail, with an initial mailing followed by another distribution to non-responders eight weeks later.


RESULTS
Sixty-five individuals (21.2%) returned the completed survey. Of these, 38 responders (62.3%) participated in MDT meetings. Most (97.4%) breast health specialists regarded MDT meetings as an effective method for treatment planning. Most responders (94.7%) reported that the MDT leader was a breast surgeon.


CONCLUSIONS
The MDT approach is perceived as an effective method for breast cancer treatment planning and is a feature in most major centers in Korea. Further work is needed to ensure that the MDT approach operates as intended and that all breast cancer patients have access to an MDT.
Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Byung Joo
BJ
Chae
Ja Seong
JS
Bae
Byung Joo
BJ
Song
Sang Seol
SS
Jung