Multidisciplinary cancer conferences: a systematic review and development of practice standards.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) are a forum for health care providers to discuss diagnostic and treatment aspects of a cancer patient's care. In Ontario, we have found that very few hospitals have developed cancer conferences or forums for the prospective discussion of patient cancer care. In this paper, we describe the process of creating a province-wide standards document for MCCs.
METHODS: A systematic review and environmental scan were conducted to evaluate the literature regarding the impact of MCCs on physician practice patterns and patient outcomes, using the methodology of the Practice Guidelines Development Cycle. An Expert Panel was created to develop draft MCC standards. Ontario administrators and practitioners were surveyed to elicit feedback regarding the standards document. The findings were collated, and practice standards were developed.
RESULTS: Multidisciplinary care, predominantly in the form of multidisciplinary clinics, has been shown to improve patient outcomes. While only limited evidence suggested a benefit for MCCs, they have been documented as influential in changing patient management plans. MCCs were also found to be part of standard cancer care on an international level. Ontario practitioners surveyed generally supported MCC implementation. DISCUSSION: We have described the process of creating an Ontario MCC standards document, including a literature review and an examination of the attitudes of Ontario practitioners and hospital administrators regarding the development and implementation of a MCC Standards document.