On record keeping at multidisciplinary team meetings

This paper explores issues related to record keeping at multidisciplinary medical team (MDT) meetings. Based on questionnaire and interview data with MDT members of various specialities, roles and teams, the information priorities for inclusion in a MDT meeting are identified. The utility and need for records after the meeting is discussed, and methods for gathering the information considered. Concerns are expressed that real-time data gathering at the meeting takes more time and risks turning the meeting into a group form-filling exercise. The value of interactive discussion among multidisciplinary peers is restated. The difficulties identified are discussed in the context of design implications for record-keeping at meetings. The role of records as a co-ordinating mechanism for tasks conducted after the meeting is emphasised, The dichotomy of having a record of a i) detailed prescriptive treatment plan, or ii) detailed diagnostic information with little treatment plan articulated, is explained.