Jessica Wihl1, Linn Rosell2, Pär-Ola Bendahl3, Camila B R De Mattos4, Sara Kinhult5, Gert Lindell6, Fredrik Vult von Steyern4, Mef Nilbert7. 1. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology, Lund University, Sweden; Regional Cancer Centre South, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden; Department of Oncology and Hematology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jessica.wihl@med.lu.se. 2. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology, Lund University, Sweden; Regional Cancer Centre South, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jessica.wihl@med.lu.se. 3. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology, Lund University, Sweden. 4. Department of Orthopedics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. 5. Department of Oncology and Hematology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. 6. Department of Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. 7. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology, Lund University, Sweden; Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre Hospital and Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: mef.nilbert@med.lu.se.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: High-quality leadership and chairing skills are central components in team performance during multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. We hypothesized that the recently developed A Tumor Leadership Assessment inStrument (ATLAS) could provide relevant information to support more detailed insights into MDT chairing and leadership aspects of relevance for team feedback and targeted improvements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The observational assessment instrument ATLAS rates chairing and leadership skills during MDT meetings in 12 predefined domains that include e.g. time management, case prioritization, team involvement, discussion climate and clarity of treatment recommendations. We used ATLAS to prospectively assess 33 MDT meetings in neuro-oncology, sarcoma and hepatobiliary cancer. RESULTS: The aspects time management, effective case prioritization and provision of clear treatment plans were found to be well-functioning, whereas facilitatation of case discussions, encouragment of team member contributions, keeping the meeting focused and ability to summarize case discussions showed variable and partly weak results. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the ATLAS instrument effectively captures various aspects of MDT leadership and chairing skills. It may thereby provide relevant information to prioritize initiatives that support and develop effective teamwork and decision-making during MDT meetings.
OBJECTIVES: High-quality leadership and chairing skills are central components in team performance during multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. We hypothesized that the recently developed A Tumor Leadership Assessment inStrument (ATLAS) could provide relevant information to support more detailed insights into MDT chairing and leadership aspects of relevance for team feedback and targeted improvements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The observational assessment instrument ATLAS rates chairing and leadership skills during MDT meetings in 12 predefined domains that include e.g. time management, case prioritization, team involvement, discussion climate and clarity of treatment recommendations. We used ATLAS to prospectively assess 33 MDT meetings in neuro-oncology, sarcoma and hepatobiliary cancer. RESULTS: The aspects time management, effective case prioritization and provision of clear treatment plans were found to be well-functioning, whereas facilitatation of case discussions, encouragment of team member contributions, keeping the meeting focused and ability to summarize case discussions showed variable and partly weak results. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the ATLAS instrument effectively captures various aspects of MDT leadership and chairing skills. It may thereby provide relevant information to prioritize initiatives that support and develop effective teamwork and decision-making during MDT meetings.