Decision-making in interdisciplinary Tumor Boards: The influence of interdisciplinary collaboration on treatment decision-making for cancer patients

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Barbara Oureilidis DeVivo

Westmount University, USA

: J Clin Exp Oncol

Abstract

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The purpose of hospital Tumor Boards (TBs) is for physicians to incorporate evidenced-based clinical guidelines and multidisciplinary perspectives to find the best treatment program for patients; however, interdisciplinary collaboration can influence the decisionmaking process and outcome. This qualitative ethnographic case study investigated team-based mechanisms to review the influence of collaboration on cancer treatment decision-making. TB observation and interview data were gathered over three years (20132016) at seven research hospitals in the United States and United Kingdom (44 Tumor Boards). Results showed an interdisciplinary collaborative culture exists in some TBs influencing treatment decision-making processes and outcomes. Characteristics of these TBs include: consistent and shared preferences and identity among members, consensual and coordinated group interactions, deliberate guided practice and collective learning process, role and pattern recognition, shared power, interdependency and partnership. Future research should focus on better understanding TB decision-making with comparisons between organizational structures. Keywords: Tumor Board, interdisciplinary collaboration, decision-making, multidisciplinary, teamwork

Biography

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Barbara DeVivo has spent her entire career in marketing management serving various executive global roles from market analysis and research, business development product management and professional relations. She serves as President and Founder of Extended Marketing Services, a real estate and healthcare consulting company. Ms. DeVivo has also held the position of Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the University of Memphis as well as Union Graduate College and has taught Marketing, Advertising and Brand Promotions, Market Research, and Negotiations. Furthermore, she has held the position of Executive Director of Marketing at the University of Memphis managing the operations. barbaradevivo@yahoo.com