XXXX boards in Spain: a national survey.

@entity5 @entity1
PURPOSE: @entity5 boards (MDTs) are conducted worldwide for the management of @entity1 with @entity5 , and they deliver a higher standard of care by simultaneously involving different specialists in diagnosis and treatment planning. However, information of paediatric MDTs functioning is scarce. A pilot study was conducted in Spain in the frame of the European Expert Paediatric Oncology Reference Network for Diagnostics and Treatment (ExPO-r-Net). METHODS: A specific questionnaire was designed regarding various features of MDT practice. Data collected included information on the centres and the team, infrastructure for meetings, MDT organization/logistics and clinical decision-making. The survey was distributed to all Paediatric Oncology Units that register @entity1 in the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours (RETI-SEHOP). RESULTS: 32 out of 43 contacted centres responded the questionnaire (74  % response rate; 88  % response rate for centres with >25 new @entity1 /year). All units with >25 new @entity1 /year have a dedicated Paediatric MDT compared to 76  % of units with  <=25 new @entity1 /year. MDTs should be improved at institutional level by clear protected time in service planning for all specialists involved, incentives for attendance and attendance registration. Clinical decision-making process and follow-up of recommendation adherence should be assessed and potential legal responsibilities for physicians participating in @entity5 Board defined. Network collaboration through virtual MDTs, using available videoconferencing tools, is an opportunity to share expertise among centres.
