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Lopez-Delgado JC, Patel JJ, Stoppe C, McClave SA. Considerations for medical nutrition therapy management of the critically ill patient with hematological malignancies: A narrative review. Nutr Clin Pract 2024; 39:800-814. [PMID: 38666811 DOI: 10.1002/ncp.11152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with hematological malignancies (HMs) are more frequently admitted now than in the past to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to more aggressive approaches in primary therapy of HMs and the need for critical care support. Pathophysiological alterations derived from HMs and the different hematological therapies, such as chemotherapy, negatively affect gastrointestinal (GI) function, metabolism, and nutrition status. Further, malnutrition strongly influences outcomes and tolerance of the different hematological therapies. In consequence, these critically ill patients frequently present with malnutrition and pathophysiological alterations that create challenges for the delivery of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in the ICU. Frequent screening, gauging tolerance, and monitoring nutrition status are mandatory to provide individualized MNT and achieve nutrition objectives. The present review discusses how HM impact GI function and nutrition status, the importance of MNT in patients with HM, and specific considerations for guidance in providing adequate MNT to these patients when admitted to the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayshil J Patel
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christian Stoppe
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University Hospital, Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen A McClave
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Tabacchi F, Iatridi V, Tammam J, Watson E, Coe S. Case Report on a Multidisciplinary Approach to Address Malnutrition and Improve a Patient's Fitness for Treatment. Nutr Cancer 2024:1-5. [PMID: 38425085 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2024.2324501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 5,700 people are diagnosed with myeloma each year in the UK. The standard of care is to receive an autologous stem cell transplant after completion of induction therapy. There are no specific dietary recommendations for people with myeloma, however they are at risk of malnutrition due to symptoms and side effects of treatments. This report describes the journey of a 73-year-old male diagnosed with immunoglobulin A (IgA) lambda myeloma in April 2021. The patient lost 23% of his body weight during 6 months of systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT), resulting in postponing his transplant twice due to reduced fitness. This report describes an effective, although late, multidisciplinary intervention which was successful for the patient who managed to reestablish a healthy weight and good quality of life. The patient received his transplant in January 2023. This case highlights two important aspects of patient care that should not be underestimated in dietetic clinical practice: early screening and multidisciplinary collaboration. Monitoring the nutritional status of patients and providing early nutrition support can prevent hospital admissions, treatment delays and reduce the associated costs. Multidisciplinary teamwork can improve patient care and clinical outcomes, and it is fundamental to strengthen communication and collaboration among clinical disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Tabacchi
- Centre for Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health & Life Science, Oxford Institute for Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Dietetics, Therapies, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - V Iatridi
- Centre for Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health & Life Science, Oxford Institute for Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - J Tammam
- Centre for Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health & Life Science, Oxford Institute for Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - E Watson
- Centre for Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health & Life Science, Oxford Institute for Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - S Coe
- Centre for Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Health & Life Science, Oxford Institute for Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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Mikkelsen S, Østergaard T, Zacher N, Holst M. Unintended weight loss in hematology outpatients - Work to do. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020; 37:202-206. [PMID: 32359744 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition frequently occurs in hematology diseases and may threaten the course of treatment and patient outcomes. While screening for nutritional risk is often done in hospitalized patients, it is rarely described in the outpatient setting. Hematology patients are often followed in outpatient settings before hospitalization and for a longer time after. AIMS The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk measured by unintended weight loss within three months and reduced food intake within one week among patients in a hematology outpatient clinic. The second purpose was to investigate the two variables as a quick initial screening tool. METHODS All patients visiting the outpatient clinic within one week were invited to participate in this study, designed as a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, consisting of nine questions. Descriptive statistical analyses, chi2 test and simple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS Of the 219 included patients, 23.7% had an unintended weight loss of mean 13.7% of body weight within the last three months and 13.2% had eaten less than usual within the past week. Patients who had significantly increased odds for unintended weight loss were >80 years of age [CI95%: 1274; 6084], patients visiting for examinations [CI95%: 1.105; 7.227], patients visiting for treatment [CI95%: 1.383; 6598] and patients visiting as part of a course of investigations [CI95%: 1.112; 34.184] as well as patients who had eaten less [CI95%: 2.731; 14.224]. Patients visiting the outpatient clinic for examination had significantly increased odds of having eaten less [CI95%: 1.783; 14.629]. CONCLUSIONS Based on the statistical analyses, almost one fourth of the patients had a significant unintended weight loss, about 15% had reduced food intake and only 7.8% had both unintended weight loss and reduced food intake. These results indicate that unintended weight loss can be used as a quick screening tool to identify and detect patients at risk of malnutrition and that guidelines should be drawn up for managing patients at nutritional risk in hematology outpatient clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Mikkelsen
- Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 4, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Trine Østergaard
- Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 4, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Nina Zacher
- Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 4, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Mette Holst
- Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 4, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Aoyama T, Yoshitsugu K, Fukaya M, Kume T, Kawashima M, Nakajima K, Arai H, Imataki O, Enami T, Tatara R, Ikeda T. Benefit of Reducing Body Weight Loss with A Nutritional Support Pathway in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2019; 25:187-198. [PMID: 31503241 PMCID: PMC6754707 DOI: 10.12659/msmbr.917329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This retrospective, historically controlled investigative study examined the benefit of a nutritional support pathway that included nutritional education before the start of conditioning and emphasized oral nutrition in response to nutrition-related adverse events in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Material/Methods Participants were patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT; 46 were in the control group (i.e., did not follow our nutritional pathway) and 36 were in the group that underwent nutritional intervention (enhanced nutrition group). We compared the following parameters between groups from the day before the start of conditioning to the day after completion of parenteral nutrition (PN): percent loss of body weight (%LBW), percent loss of skeletal muscle mass (%LSMM), and estimated basal energy expenditure (EBEE) sufficiency rate. The relationship between each parameter and %LBW was also examined. We also compared nutritional indices, gastrointestinal graft versus host disease (GvHD) grade, oral energy intake, and %LBW between groups. Results There was a relationship between %LBW, %LSMM, and EBEE sufficiency rate in both groups. Compared with the control group, the enhanced nutrition group had significantly improved energy intake amount, EBEE sufficiency rate, PN duration, and oral energy intake over time. The enhanced nutrition group also had increased oral energy intake, no difference in gastrointestinal GvHD grade, and improved %LBW compared with the control group. Conclusions Use of our nutritional support pathway in patients undergoing HSCT may be beneficial for %LBW and gastrointestinal GvHD grade, enabling early enhanced nutritional intervention after HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Aoyama
- Dietary Department, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kanako Yoshitsugu
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Fukaya
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kume
- Department of Pharmacy, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Miho Kawashima
- Division of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuko Nakajima
- Department of Nursing and The Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Arai
- Laboratory of Clinical Nutrition and Management, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Osamu Imataki
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Kagawa University Hospital, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Terukazu Enami
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Raine Tatara
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Ikeda
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
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Implementing and sustaining an evidence-based nutrition service in a haematology unit for autologous stem cell transplant patients. Support Care Cancer 2018; 27:951-958. [PMID: 30073411 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4384-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Effective, timely and evidence-based nutritional management is important in patients receiving autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) to prevent the negative consequences of developing malnutrition. This study describes a robust process for development and implementation of an evidence-based nutrition care pathway for HSCT patients in a tertiary cancer centre. METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature was completed to identify relevant articles and evidence-based guidelines to inform the development of the pathway. Evidence from the literature review was assessed and utilised to underpin the development of pathway. The pathway was implemented in the haematology service in collaboration with the multidisciplinary haematology team. Dietetic resource requirements for implementation of the pathway were determined and clinician compliance with the care pathway was assessed to evaluate the feasibility of the pathway in supporting delivery of evidence-based care. RESULTS The evidence-based care pathway was implemented in 2011 with the final care pathway based on recommendations from five international evidence-based guidelines. Overall clinician compliance with delivering nutrition management described in the care pathway was high at 84%. The dietetic resource requirement for implementation of the care pathway was 300 to 400 h per 100 patients depending on conditioning chemotherapy regimen. CONCLUSION A robust process for developing and implementing a nutrition care pathway for HSCT patients was effective in supporting the delivery of evidence-based nutritional management for patients treated with HSCT.
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Bossi P, Alfieri S. The Benefit of a Multidisciplinary Approach to the Patient Treated with (Chemo) Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2017; 17:53. [PMID: 27520784 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-016-0431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT In the past two decades, multidisciplinary care has emerged as new way to manage cancer given the need to gather together specific areas of expertise and to discuss the variety of treatment approaches available for each patient. Of all the cancer subtypes, head and neck cancer might be considered one of the most valid areas, from an oncological point of view, for a multidisciplinary approach to be applied. Head and Neck Cancer is a complex disease area due to its varied histology and subsites, its numerous feasible treatments, its multiple typical comorbidities, and its treatment-induced toxicities whose management requires the simultaneous involvement of several professionals as part of the same health care team. However, the benefits of a multidisciplinary team approach in this particular area have not yet been properly documented in terms of survival outcomes. Moreover, there are some concerns and the limitations of a multidisciplinary team approach for Head and Neck Cancer patients are still open to question: cost-efficiency, the implications from a medical law perspective, the level of expertise required and the timing of each intervention (fixed or as required; before, during or after oncological treatment), and the role of the leader with other interested specialists to optimize all multidisciplinary care mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bossi
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Alfieri
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milano, Italy
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Mudd PA, Silva AL, Callicott SS, Bauman NM. Cost Analysis of a Multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Clinic: Are Such Clinics Financially Feasible? Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2017; 126:401-406. [DOI: 10.1177/0003489417699420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Multidisciplinary clinics offer important value to pediatric patients with complex conditions that overlap specialties; however, such labor-intensive clinics are difficult to facilitate. We performed a cost analysis of our pediatric multidisciplinary aerodigestive clinic (MADC) to assess its financial feasibility at our tertiary care institution. Method: Revenue was based on net collections for clinic, professional, and hospital setting charges generated during 12 consecutive monthly MADCs beginning August 2013. Clinic charges included facility and speech pathologist fees. Professional charges included clinic and operative fees generated by providers and anesthesiologist. Hospital setting fees included facility and material charges for technical procedures. Direct expense calculations included all providers and staff salaries, benefits, and supply costs. Results: Charge capture for 54 consecutive patients seen during the study time included new visits 99203-99205 (n = 63), consults 99243-99245 (n = 60), and follow-up visits 99212-99215 (n = 196). Sixty percent of patients underwent a clinic nasopharyngeal or laryngeal endoscopy (92511 or 31575), and 60% underwent subsequent intraoperative procedures with 1 (n = 8) or 2 to 3 services (n = 24). Program net revenue totaled $828 136 and direct costs $518 867, accounting for a net positive margin of $309 269. Conclusions: When including direct downstream revenue, our MADC operates on a net positive margin, making it financially feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A. Mudd
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children’s National Health Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Allison L. Silva
- Joseph E. Roberts, Jr. Center for Surgical Care, Children’s National Health Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Susan S. Callicott
- Joseph E. Roberts, Jr. Center for Surgical Care, Children’s National Health Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nancy M. Bauman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children’s National Health Services, Washington, DC, USA
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Katoue MG, Al-Taweel D. Role of the pharmacist in parenteral nutrition therapy: challenges and opportunities to implement pharmaceutical care in Kuwait. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2016; 14:680. [PMID: 27382419 PMCID: PMC4930853 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2016.02.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacists can provide beneficial pharmaceutical care services to patients receiving Parenteral Nutrition (PN) therapy by working within Nutrition Support Teams (NSTs). OBJECTIVE This study was designed to explore pharmacists' role in PN therapy in hospitals of Kuwait, sources of PN-related information, opinions on NSTs, perceptions about the barriers to pharmaceutical care implementation and views on how to enhance their practices. METHODS Data were collected via face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the senior Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) pharmacists at all the hospitals which provide TPN preparation services (six governmental hospitals and one private hospital) in Kuwait. Descriptive statistics were used to describe pharmacists' demographic details and practice site characteristics. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS The pharmacists mainly performed technical tasks such as TPN compounding with minimal role in providing direct patient care. They used multiple different sources of TPN-related information to guide their practice. They reported positive and negative experiences with physicians depending on their practice environment. None of the hospitals had a functional NST. However, pharmacists expressed preference to work within NSTs due to the potential benefits of enhanced communication and knowledge exchange among practitioners and to improve service. Pharmacists perceived several barriers to providing pharmaceutical care including lack of reliable sources of TPN-related information, lack of a standard operating procedure for TPN across hospitals, insufficient staff, time constraints and poor communication between TPN pharmacists. To overcome these barriers, they recommended fostering pharmacists' education on TPN, establishing national standards for TPN practices, provision of pharmacy staff, development of NSTs, enhancing TPN pharmacists' communication and conducting TPN-research research. CONCLUSION TPN pharmacists in Kuwait are confined to performing TPN manufacturing processes. There are promising avenues for future development of their role in patient care. This can be achieved by overcoming the barriers to pharmaceutical care practice and providing pharmacists with educational opportunities to equip them with the clinical competencies needed to practise as nutrition support pharmacists with patient-centred roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maram G Katoue
- Teaching Assistant, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University . Kuwait ( Kuwait ).
| | - Dalal Al-Taweel
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University . Kuwait ( Kuwait ).
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Andersen S, Brown T, Kennedy G, Banks M. Implementation of an evidenced based nutrition support pathway for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplant patients. Clin Nutr 2015; 34:536-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Schmidt EM, McMillen KK. Comment on "Nutritional status of patients submitted to transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells: a retrospective study". Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter 2014; 36:392-3. [PMID: 25453647 PMCID: PMC4318480 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjhh.2014.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Lindman A, Rasmussen HB, Andersen NF. Food caregivers influence on nutritional intake among admitted haematological cancer patients – A prospective study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2013; 17:827-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Impact of clinical pharmacist-based parenteral nutrition service for bone marrow transplantation patients: a randomized clinical trial. Support Care Cancer 2013; 21:3441-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-013-1920-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ke KM, Blazeby JM, Strong S, Carroll FE, Ness AR, Hollingworth W. Are multidisciplinary teams in secondary care cost-effective? A systematic review of the literature. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2013; 11:7. [PMID: 23557141 PMCID: PMC3623820 DOI: 10.1186/1478-7547-11-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the cost effectiveness of management of patients within the context of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting in cancer and non-cancer teams in secondary care. Design Systematic review. Data sources EMBASE, MEDLINE, NHS EED, CINAHL, EconLit, Cochrane Library, and NHS HMIC. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, case–control, before and after and cross-sectional study designs including an economic evaluation of management decisions made in any disease in secondary care within the context of an MDT meeting. Data extraction Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria (CHEC-list). MDTs were defined by evidence of two characteristics: decision making requiring a minimum of two disciplines; and regular meetings to discuss diagnosis, treatment and/or patient management, occurring at a physical location or by teleconferencing. Studies that reported on the costs of administering, preparing for, and attending MDT meetings and/or the subsequent direct medical costs of care, non-medical costs, or indirect costs, and any health outcomes that were relevant to the disease being investigated were included and classified as cancer or non-cancer MDTs. Results Fifteen studies (11 RCTs in non-cancer care, 2 cohort studies in cancer and non-cancer care, and 2 before and after studies in cancer and non cancer care) were identified, all with a high risk of bias. Twelve papers reported the frequency of meetings which varied from daily to three monthly and all reported the number of disciplines included (mean 5, range 2 to 9). The results from all studies showed mixed effects; a high degree of heterogeneity prevented a meta-analysis of findings; and none of the studies reported how the potential savings of MDT working may offset the costs of administering, preparing for, and attending MDT meetings. Conclusions Current evidence is insufficient to determine whether MDT working is cost-effective or not in secondary care. Further studies aimed at understanding the key aspects of MDT working that lead to cost-effective cancer and non-cancer care are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Melissa Ke
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK.
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