Record a multidisciplinary team (MDT) review that occurs prior to the implementation of, or during the course of treatment for cancer. The initial treatment for cancer includes all treatments administered to the patient from diagnosis and before disease progression or recurrence. Access to a unit offering multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with cancer. Multidisciplinary care (MDC) is defined as an integrated team approach to health care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all relevant treatment options and develop collaboratively an individual treatment plan for each patient. (National Breast Cancer Centre 2005, page 5.) There are a number of models of MDC in Australia. These include: - A 'tumour board' model in which the patient's case is discussed by the team, a recommendation for treatment is made, and the treating clinician informs the patient of the recommendation and makes the appropriate referrals.
- A variation of this model in which the patient attends a clinic after the discussion and meets the members of the team who will be involved in their ongoing care.
The MDT review may be conducted according to any of these models; the essential component is that the multidisciplinary team assesses the patient’s treatment options and develops a treatment plan. Multidisciplinary team membership will vary depending on the cancer type but should consist of the core disciplines required for the provision of good care, and reflect both the clinical and psychosocial aspects of care. For example, for lung cancer the core team would ideally be represented by respiratory medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, nurse specialist and palliative care, while non-core team membership would consist of nuclear medicine, social work, physiotherapy, psychiatry/psychology, dietetics and occupational therapy. | 
