What is a Multidiciplinary Team (MDT)?
An MDT is a group of health care professionals from different areas of patient care. They meet together every week to discuss the care of individual patients.
The main aim of the MDT is to discuss and plan each patient’s future care and treatment. The MDT links to the wider care team, in particular the patient’s GP. This makes sure that when treatment decisions are made, on-going support and care is carried on.
Who makes up the Upper GI MDT?
The details of the staff listed below can be explained in more detail to you by your own team.
MDT Co-ordinator – arranges the meetings and makes sure all decisions made are documented.
Upper GI Surgeons – doctors who diagnose cancer and specialise in treating patients with surgery.
Consultant Gastroenterologist – doctors who are specialised in gastro diseases and procedures, mainly the use of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy including, gastroscopy, EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) and EMR.
Consultant Radiologist – a doctor who, using scans from X-rays, Computerised Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners, finds the place where the cancer is and how far it has spread.
Consultant Histopathologist – a doctor who looks at tissue samples under a microscope to make a diagnosis.
Consultant Medical Oncologist – a doctor who specialises in treating patients with chemotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs and is often involved in research of new chemotherapy drugs.
Consultant Clinical Oncologist – a doctor who specialises in treating patients with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other anti-cancer treatments and is often involved in research of new anti-cancer treatments.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – a registered nurse who has received extra training in Upper GI cancers. They provide support with physical symptoms associated with cancer and treatment. They also provide psychological and emotional support along with lifestyle, relationship and practical support.
Palliative Team Care member – a registered nurse or doctor who specialises in symptom management and specialist counselling.
Dietitian – an allied health professional who can undertake nutritional assessment and offer advice to help manage difficulties associated with eating or feeding as a consequence of a cancer diagnosis or treatment.