Improving multidisciplinary cancer conferences: a population-based intervention.

Background: Multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) facilitate the discussion of appropriate diagnostic and treatment options for an individual cancer patient. In 2007, a study conducted in Ontario found that 52 % of hospitals were able to provide access to MCCs. In 2006, Cancer Care Ontario published minimum standards for MCCs. A framework for measurement was developed to monitor MCCs at the hospital, regional, and provincial level. The objective of this study was to review the results from initial efforts to improve quality and access through a population-based intervention.

Methods: Data collection was completed prospectively between October to December in 2009, 2010, and 2011. A criterion satisfaction score (CSS) was developed on the basis of indicators including MCC frequency, type of patient case review, the presence of a chair and coordinator, and the attendance of appropriate medical staff members. For each hospital and region, the overall number of MCCs, patients discussed, and CSSs was calculated.

Results: Data were available from 13 of 14 regions in 2009 and all 14 regions in 2010 and 2011. The number of MCCs increased from 660 in 2009 to 798 in 2011 (p = 0.06). The number of patients discussed at MCCs increased from 4,695 in 2009 to 5,702 in 2011 (p = 0.22). The CSS scores across the regions improved significantly across 2009-2011 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: A population-based intervention has been associated with an improvement in access and quality of MCCs.