title: Multidisciplinary clinic care improves adherence to best practice in head and neck cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multidisciplinary team (MDT) care is widely accepted as best practice for patients with head and neck cancer, although there is little evidence that MDT care improves head and neck cancer related outcomes. This study aims to determine the impact of MDT care on measurable clinical quality indicators (CQIs) associated with improved patient outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients treated for head and neck cancer at Ipswich Hospital from 2001 to 2008 were identified. Comparisons were made in adherence to CQIs between patients treated before (pre MDT) and after (post MDT) the introduction of the MDT. Associations were tested using the Chi-square and Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment post MDT was associated with greater adherence to CQIs than pre MDT. Post MDT had higher rates of: dental assessment (59% versus 22%, p<.0001), nutritional assessment (57% versus 39%, p=.015), PET staging (41% versus 2%, p<.0001), chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced disease (66% versus 16%, p<.0001) and use of adjuvant CRT for high risk disease (49% versus 16%, p<.0001). The interval between surgery and radiotherapy was shorter in the post MDT group (p=.009) as was the mean length of hospitalization (p=.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the measurable advantages of MDT care over the standard, less formalized, referral process.
authors.affiliation: Ipswich General Hospital, Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich. Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Brigid E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Szallasi
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bond
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies