Socio-cognitive factors that affect decision-making in cancer multidisciplinary team meetings

Project summary

Background

As a mandatory part of cancer care services in the UK, multidisciplinary team meetings (MDMs) are designed to produce expert-informed treatment recommendations. This is performed through active case discussions by core team members who work together in (a) assessing the available patient information and (b) determining the best treatment option for each individual patient.

There is a general understanding that multidisciplinary approach effectively addresses complex needs of patients with cancer, however recent studies show variability in MDM functioning within and between cancer specialties, as well as that it relies on team climate. The socio-cognitive factors, such as decision fatigue and team interactions, that may account for the observed variability in team functioning have not yet been explored.

Aims

• Provide a conceptual framework for understanding the effects of socio-cognitive factors on decision-making in MDMs
• Develop tools to allow assessments of socio-cognitive factors in MDMs
• Empirically assess the effects of socio-cognitive factors on decision-making in MDMs