Neuro-oncology Multidisciplinary Clinic and Improvements in Patient Outcome.

Abstract

Neuro-oncology care is becoming increasingly complex and patients often see multiple specialists. Multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) is a patient-centric option to allow multiple specialists to be involved where patients see multiple providers on the same day. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of a neuro-oncology MDC on patient outcomes. Retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients who received radiosurgery for central nervous system (CNS) disease. We evaluated patients 2 years before and 2 years after the implementation of a MDC. A total of 351 patients were analyzed, 163 patients before MDC and 188 after implementation of MDC. Before MDC the median follow-up was dependent on which department ordered follow-up radiographic imaging. This discrepancy decreased after the MDC. Overall survival for patients with CNS metastatic disease improved in the MDC cohort (median survival of 248 before MDC and 315 d after, P<0.027). We found that neuro-oncology MDC improved follow-up across disciplines and improved overall survival for patients with CNS metastatic disease.