title: Policy statement on multidisciplinary cancer care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer care is undergoing an important paradigm shift from a disease-focused management to a patient-centred approach, in which increasingly more attention is paid to psychosocial aspects, quality of life, patients' rights and empowerment and survivorship. In this context, multidisciplinary teams emerge as a practical necessity for optimal coordination among health professionals and clear communication with patients. The European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC), an initiative launched by the European Commission in 2009, addressed the multidisciplinary care from a policy perspective in order to define the core elements that all tumour-based multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) should include. To that effect, a working group conference was held in January 2013 within the EPAAC Work Package 7 (on Healthcare) framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  The consensus group consisted of high-level representatives from the following European scientific societies, patient associations and stakeholders: European CanCer Organisation (ECCO), European SocieTy for Radiology & Oncology (ESTRO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS), International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS),European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), EuropaColon, Europa Donna - The European Breast Cancer Coalition, Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), EUSOMA - European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) and EPAAC Work Packages 5 (Health promotion and prevention), 7, 8 (Research), 9 (Information systems) and 10 (Cancer plans). A background document with a list of 26 core issues drawn from a systematic review of the literature was used to guide the discussion. Five areas related to MDTs were covered: care objectives, organisation, clinical assessment, patients' rights and empowerment and policy support. Preliminary drafts of the document were widely circulated for consultation and amendments by the working group before final approval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The working group unanimously formulated a Policy Statement on Multidisciplinary Cancer Care to define the core elements that should be implemented by all tumour-based MDTs. This document identifies MDTs as the core component in cancer care organisation and sets down the key elements to guide changes across all European health systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDTs are an essential instrument of effective cancer care policy, and their continued development crucial to providing patients the care they need and deserve. While implementation must remain in local hands, European health systems can still benefit from having a basis for an effective multidisciplinary model of cooperation. This policy statement is intended to serve as a reference for policymakers and healthcare providers who wish to improve the services currently provided to the cancer patients whose lives and well-being depend on their action.
authors: Catalonian Institute of Oncology (ICO) & University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jmborras@iconcologia.net.
authors: Josep M
authors: JM
authors: Borras
authors: EPAAC, Work Package 10 Cancer Plans & National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia (IVZ), Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors: Tit
authors: T
authors: Albreht
authors: International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG).
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Audisio
authors: European Cancer Patients Coalition (ECPC).
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Briers
authors: European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO).
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Casali
authors: European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) & UNICANCER.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Esperou
authors: European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS).
authors: Birgitte
authors: B
authors: Grube
authors: Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCL, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Hamoir
authors: EuropaColon.
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Henning
authors: Association of European Cancer Leagues(ECL) & Work Package 5 Health Promotion Prevention.
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Kelly
authors: Europa Donna - The European Breast Cancer Coalition.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Knox
authors: European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC).
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Nabal
authors: Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Pierotti
authors: Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Lombardo
authors: Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: van Harten
authors: European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO).
authors: Graeme
authors: G
authors: Poston
authors: EPAAC, Work Package 7 Healthcare & Catalonian Cancer Plan, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Prades
authors: EPAAC, Work Package 9 Information Systems & Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.
authors: Milena
authors: M
authors: Sant
authors: International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS).
authors: Luzia
authors: L
authors: Travado
authors: European SocieTy for Radiology & Oncology (ESTRO).
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Valentini
authors: European CanCer Organisation (ECCO).
authors: Cornelis
authors: C
authors: van de Velde
authors: Scientific Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Saskia
authors: S
authors: van den Bogaert
authors: Belgium Cancer Center (BCC), Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: van den Bulcke
authors: Vrije Universitet, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: van Hoof
authors: EPAAC, Work Package 8 Research & European CanCer Organisation (ECCO).
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: van den Neucker
authors: EUSOMA - European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Wilson
mesh_terms: D032921:Consensus; D005060:Europe; D019981:Health Care Sector; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards
keywords: Consensus; Health care organisation; Health policy; Multidisciplinary team