Measuring the effectiveness of video-conferencing in Head and Neck MDT’s

Abstract

Aims: The use of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in the management of head and neck tumours is considered best practice. As a result of ongoing centralisation there is a requirement for joint MDT meetings between geographically disparate sites. This work aimed to assess the effectiveness of videoconferencing (VC) for joint meetings when discussing patients. Methods: A prospective study design using generic and individual patient forms collected baseline data for 27 weeks and joint data for 35 weeks with VC. The duration of meetings, number of patients discussed and time spent discussing each patient was recorded. Information including; location of the tumour, number of deemed inappropriate for the meeting, and attendees by each speciality were collected. At the end of the data collection a survey was sent to MDT members to elicit their opinions about VC. Results: The average duration of meetings increased as did the number of patients discussed. There was a reduction in time spent discussing each patient at the VC MDT. Discussion was occasionally hampered by technical problems included loss of sound, and poor image quality. Qualitative analysis of MDT members opinions revealed a generally negative effect, but with some insightful suggestions for improvement. Conclusions: The reduction in time spent discussing each patient is possibly due to time constraints but was also felt to be due to VC acting as a barrier to open discussion. VC would be more acceptable to MDT members if backup technology was available and more consideration was given to the type of patients listed for discussion.

Full text




 !"#

Introduction
$#%

&
#


'
()#&


$%)


Methods
'
&*+
),-
&

./&
&

'#
&&

Results
'
0
#1
-*
#2+#3 1
4
•25)(

•+(
0&*+
),-4

6 0  #

$5782-% 578298*9 57827829 55852825
 558,582: 558,;8:7 5585;8,:

 5585285, 55855 558558,;
&
 +4, 2*45 :4+
'&
 54, 245 54+
'&<
 54, 24, 245
'
 5585,8,9 5585,8*5 55855829
'&
 542 24, 24*
'&
 54:= ,42 *4+
>8&&
&4
=?&&4

>8$&
)&%#1

>8$&
)&%&)#1
=31
44@04A
&

>8&$&)&%
#1

Postal Survey Results
!“there are
valuable exchanges of knowledge and opinions”
&“make changes to the management of
patients”4

&4

/
•.B&&
4

.&/
•@)“two
independent meetings run one after the other”
•!(&
(4
.&“soft talking
was the other site did not respect the views of their MDT”4

Discussion
(&
&C

D(
D&
D&B

.&B

Conclusions
&
(
&&#&
&&
4


EF