How do patients make decisions in the context of a multidisciplinary team: an ethnographic study of four head and neck cancer centres in the north of England (24 August 2022)

Summary

This ethnographic qualitative study in the BMJ aimed to describe how patients are engaged with cancer decisions in the context of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) and how MDT recommendations are carried out in the context of a shared decision. The study was carried out at four head and neck cancer centres in the north of England.

The authors found that the current model of MDT decision-making does not support shared decision-making, and may actively undermine it. They recommend the development of a model that allows the individual patient more input into MDT discussions, and where decisions are made on potential treatment options rather than providing a single recommendation for discussion with the patient. Deeper consideration should be given to how the MDT incorporates the patient perspective and/or delivers its discussion of options to the patient.