Olubukola Ayodele: Multidisciplinary Teams are fundamental to delivering quality cancer care
Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“When I’m in Nigeria, I always prioritise capacity building for locally based healthcare professionals. On World Cancer Day, it was a pleasure to educate the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital (MRCC) team about the importance of quality assurance in cancer multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).
Since Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi established MRCC, a world-class centre of excellence in Lagos, about four years ago, they have had the opportunity to care for over 5,000 patients, underscoring the need for adherence to a continued standard of care. At MRCC, all patients are discussed in their cancer MDTs to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) are fundamental to delivering quality cancer care. They ensure that patients receive comprehensive, evidence-based, and coordinated treatment. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are often limited, maintaining quality assurance (QA) in MDTs is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing disparities.
Why Does Quality Assurance (QA) Matter in Cancer MDTs?
1. Standardized Decision-Making: Ensures that treatment aligns with clinical guidelines and best practices.
2. Enhanced Collaboration: Brings together oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons to make informed, patient-centered decisions.
3. Error Reduction: Minimizes misdiagnoses, treatment delays, and inconsistencies in care.
4. Data-Driven Improvements: Regular audits, peer reviews, and outcome tracking help refine protocols and optimise patient management.
5. Sustainability & Scalability: Strengthening QA frameworks ensures MDT effectiveness even in resource-limited settings.
The Way Forward in LMICs:
- Establish protocol-driven MDT meetings with structured case discussions.
- Train and upskill healthcare professionals in MDT best practices.
- Leverage technology and telemedicine to bridge expertise gaps.
- Embed QA metrics into national cancer control programs.
By strengthening QA systems in LMICs, we can achieve better cancer outcomes, enhance patient safety, and build resilient oncology services.”
-
ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
-
ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
-
Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
-
OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
-
Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023