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What to Expect from Your Healthcare Team
Author(s):
Nisha Mohindra, MD, and Christopher Towe, MD, define the term “multidisciplinary team” and explain why early-stage NSCLC care requires a diverse group of specialists. They also discuss the function and value of this collaborative model in guiding treatment plans. Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Danielle Hicks: When I'm speaking to a person diagnosed, particularly a person who's newly diagnosed, many of them have heard the term multidisciplinary or multidisciplinary team. Dr. Towe can you give an explanation of what we mean when we say multidisciplinary team?
Dr. Christopher Towe: Sure. You know, managing early-stage lung cancer is a group effort, it takes a team. And collaboration between different specialties may help give a better understanding of all facets of a diagnosis. And this informs a well-rounded, holistic approach to how we treat someone and their cancer. For example, doctors may present a patient case at something called a tumor board, where many different specialties are present. That can include surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonologists to decide the best treatment to address the specific needs of an individual. And it's this collaborative effort that really gives, I think, the best care.
Danielle Hicks: That's a lot of people. What is the value of having so many people on your care team?
Dr. Nisha Mohindra: I think by bringing together a group of experts, we share our expertise and our skill set, and that multidisciplinary team can then help come up with the best treatment plan for you as well as your disease. It's important that patients have well-coordinated care with a group of doctors and that they feel like their journey is streamlined with good communication across.
