Multidisciplinary care
The Directory provides details of whether or not a hospital holds multidisciplinary meetings to discuss treatment plans for women with breast cancer or whether the treatment plan is managed by individual clinicians.
Women with breast cancer are treated by a number of doctors and other health professionals. Multidisciplinary care involves the liaison and cooperation of all members of the treatment team to provide best care for women with breast cancer.
Generally the core multidisciplinary team includes surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care professionals such as breast care nurses, oncology nurses or social workers. The general practitioner is also part of the team. Other clinicians such as physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, geneticists, and palliative care specialists may also be included in the team depending on individual patient needs.
Multidisciplinary meetings provide the opportunity for all members of the team to meet either in person or via video/teleconference to formulate and discuss the woman’s treatment plan.
While some hospitals in Australia have been using a multidisciplinary approach for some time, other hospitals are yet to establish formal multidisciplinary teams.
For more information on multidisciplinary care please visit www.nbocc.org.au/bestpractice/mdc.