Abstract P5-02-07: Effect of multidisciplinary case conferences on physician decision making: Breast diagnostic rounds

Background: Participation in multidisciplinary case conferences (MCCs) continues to be highly variable, in spite of proven benefits. One contention is the lack of perceived utility on patient management. Purpose: To evaluate the utility of MCCs on physician decision making in benign and malignant breast disease management. Methods: At the Foothills Medical Centre, diagnostic breast MCCs occur biweekly. Patients with interesting or challenging diagnostic or management issues were discussed by attending surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, nurse coordinators and oncologists. Prior to case discussion, the presenting physician was asked to specify his/her management plan. Their response was recorded and compared to the management plan consensus after the MCC discussion. For each case a clinical summary and question was provided by the presenting physician, followed by a review of diagnostic images and/or pathology. After group discussion, a management consensus was achieved and documented. A management change was defined as a difference compared to the pre-MCC plan or if there was no definite management plan prior to MCC. Results: From November 5th, 2014 to May 6th, 2015, 52 patients were discussed in 11 MCCs (1 to 8 patients per MCC). No MCCs were cancelled due to insufficient patients. Of these, 23 (44%) had a change in the management plan compared to the pre-MCC intent including 7 cases where there was no clear plan prior to MCC. Among the 23 cases with a management change, 12 (52%) were due to new or clarified information from radiology review, 6 (26%) were due to new or clarified details from pathology review and 5 (22%) changes occurred from both radiology and pathology review. All cases presented resulted in a consensus management recommendation. Conclusion: The MCCs had a substantial impact on physician decision making. Nearly half of cases presented resulted in a change in clinical recommendation, the majority of which were based on new/clarified diagnostic imaging or pathology information. Presentation of cases at MCCs should be encouraged given their clinical impact on patient care, especially for challenging diagnostic or management issues. Citation Format: Foster T, Bouchard-Fortier A, Olivotto I, Quan ML. Effect of multidisciplinary case conferences on physician decision making: Breast diagnostic rounds. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-02-07.