A multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a group of healthcare professionals from various disciplines who collaborate to provide comprehensive care for patients. Those involved in the Urology MDT meetings bring together their unique skills and expertise, within keeping of national treatment guidelines or the latest evidence.
Research shows that when healthcare professionals work as part of a multidisciplinary team it improves patient outcomes. Furthermore, MDTs play a pivotal role in ensuring that patients with different needs receive a seamless flow of care. An MDT meeting allows for a coordinated and integrated approach to care where our teams can identify and address potential issues before they escalate, helping to prevent complications and reduce the risk of poor treatment outcomes.
When a case is being been presented at the meeting, MDT members contribute their insights, assessments, and recommendations. On presentation, radiological images or histopathology may be displayed on screens for everyone to review.
The discussion amongst the team becomes an interactive session, with team members asking questions, offering suggestions, or raising concerns based on their expertise. For example, a surgeon might discuss potential surgical interventions, a radiologist might interpret imaging results, and a nurse might provide input on the patient’s day-to-day well-being and response to treatments. The objective is to reach a consensus on the best plan of care for the patient, ensuring that all aspects of their health and well-being are considered.
The most common MDT meetings within Urology are:
- Urological Cancer MDT
- Stone MDT
- Complex Pelvic MDT
Those present at a Urology MDT meeting include but not exclusive of:
- Surgeons
- Medical oncologists
- Clinical oncologists
- Pathologists
- Radiologists
- Clinical nurse specialists (CNS)
- Research Nurses
- MDT Co-ordinators