2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.15A.03 Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Teams in China Show Multi-faceted Similarities and Differences Compared to Europe and Canada

EP.15A.03 Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Teams in China Show Multi-faceted Similarities and Differences Compared to Europe and Canada

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The study compares lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) practices in China with those in Europe and Canada, highlighting differences and similarities that can enhance global MDT practices for better cost-efficiency and patient outcomes. MDTs are pivotal in managing lung cancer by pooling expertise from various specialties to deliver comprehensive care. <br /><br />The study emphasizes that in many European countries, such as Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, discussing every lung cancer patient within an MDT is mandatory to meet certification requirements. In contrast, China and Canada lack national mandates, allowing hospitals to tailor MDT practices to their needs. Chinese hospitals often focus on discussing complex cases and have sometimes established separate lung cancer centers to facilitate better multidisciplinary collaboration.<br /><br />In terms of structure, MDTs in Europe and Canada tend to include more specialties and emphasize the role of support staff like nurse navigators. A significant finding is that Chinese MDTs spend more time per patient than their European and Canadian counterparts, reflecting possible differences in operational efficiency or patient load management.<br /><br />Other notable differences include the approach to digitization and follow-up practices. Chinese hospitals have advanced digital tools customized to their needs and typically provide patient follow-up recommendations on the same day as MDT discussions. In Europe and Canada, such follow-ups are less frequent on the day of the meeting. Furthermore, in China, all costs of MDT discussions are borne by patients, while Europe and Canada offer varied incentives and reimbursement policies for MDT participation.<br /><br />The study underscores the importance of global exchange among MDTs to refine practices and improve patient care outcomes worldwide.

Asset Subtitle

Bichai Yin

Meta Tag

Speaker Bichai Yin

Topic Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing, Allied Health and Palliative Care

Keywords

lung cancer

multidisciplinary team

MDT practices

China

Europe

Canada

patient outcomes

cost-efficiency

digitization

global exchange