title: The value of multidisciplinary team meetings within an early pregnancy assessment unit.
abstract: This is the first study to ascertain the value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings within an early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU). Our national telephone survey identified that in the United Kingdom, overall 37% of EPAU utilise regular MDT meetings. Secondary and tertiary hospitals are just as likely to hold regular MDT meetings. The participants in our interview study expressed the principal benefits of regular MDT meetings as communication, education and effective stress management. The perceived additional benefits included improved care quality, better patient experience and enhanced team cohesion. During the meetings, at least, one representative from every tier of staffing was present. The caseload of the MDT meeting comprised ectopic pregnancies and pregnancies of unknown location. We propose a number of research studies, which would build on this study. Such efforts will help enhance the effectiveness of the MDT-based EPAU service.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , St George's Healthcare NHS Trust , Blackshaw Road , Tooting , London , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and.
authors.forename: Rasiah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bharathan
authors.affiliation: b St George's, University of London , Cranmer Terrace , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Mena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , St George's Healthcare NHS Trust , Blackshaw Road , Tooting , London , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and.|b St George's, University of London , Cranmer Terrace , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Early pregnancy; MDT meeting; care quality; ectopic pregnancy; patient safety