Background:
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital lung MDT was established in 1984. Historically, information about MDT decision making was captured as free text in the electronic medical record, including patient investigation and staging. This information was accessible to clinical staff; however, it was not routinely distributed to GPs involved in the patient’s care. We identified a potential gap in the current reporting and communication processes.
Aims:
This project aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a new lung MDT reporting form to GPs in order to improve the communication flow about lung cancer cases following MDT discussion and making treatment recommendations. We sought to evaluate the timeliness, acceptability and appropriateness of the form by gaining feedback from GPs.
Method:
The form was revised by the MDT clinicians prior to implementation. Registrars completed the form for all patients presented during the MDT. The form was sent to each patient’s GP within 1-2 days. A brief telephone survey was developed by the team. We conducted the survey with consenting GPs within 2 weeks of receipt. Data were collated from the completed GP surveys.
Results:
To date, 13 GPs have completed phone surveys; 62% were female; 62% were from regional and 38% metropolitan settings. Nearly all participants (92%) reported that the information provided in the form was useful, relevant and will be used for communicating to patients about the treatment pathway and coordination of their treatment plan. Most (85%) reported receiving the form in a timely manner, found it easy to interpret and used it in communication with the patient.
Conclusion:
The evaluation has confirmed that GPs found the form to be delivered in a manner that was timely, acceptable and appropriate. It is anticipated that it will benefit GPs in communicating the outcomes of MDT treatment recommendations to their patients.