title: [Better multidisciplinary team meetings are linked to better care].
abstract: Discussing a patient in an oncology multidisciplinary team meeting (MTM) increases the value of the quality of the treatment chosen. MTMs are increasingly mentioned in guidelines and indicator sets. Based on literature review and observations, the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Netherlands (CCCNL), in collaboration with IQ Healthcare and the Department of Medical Oncology of the UMC St Radboud Nijmegen in the Netherlands, has conducted research into the quality criteria for a good MTM. Two of our studies show that the organisation of MTMs can be significantly improved. Based on the results, we developed a checklist to accomplish this. The most significant areas of improvement for optimising the organisation of MTMs are: (a) the presence of specialists from all relevant disciplines; (b) a capable chairman who promotes the efficiency of the MTM; and (c) the reduction of intruding factors, such as mobile phones and participants who walk in and out.
authors.affiliation: Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. e.vandrielen@iknl.nl
authors.forename: Eveline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Drielen
authors.forename: Antoinette W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: P B Nelleke
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Ottevanger
authors.forename: Rosella P M G
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Hermens
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011787:Quality of Health Care