LAUSR

e18324 Background: Discussion of cancer cases at multi-disciplinary meetings (MDMs) for treatment planning is expected standard care in Australia. There has been rapid uptake of MDMs in the last 10 - 15 years and in the state of Victoria approximately 70% of cancer cases are discussed. MDMs have strong support from medical staff and we investigated their motivation in attending MDMs. Methods: Over 12 months, Austin Health in Melbourne, Victoria, hosted 452 cancer MDMs discussing 5943 patients. MDMs covered 15 tumour areas: 11 solid tumour, one lymphoma and three haematological. Over a 4-week period, medical staff attending MDMs were surveyed and asked to rank what they valued most about cancer MDMs, over and above the benefits for patients. Results: Responses were received from 84% of the 285 medical staff surveyed, which included consultants as well as trainees (registrars and fellows). For 75% of respondents the highest ranking was given to multi-disciplinary communication, 9% gave the highest ranking to quality assurance and governance, 5% ongoing learning for consultants, 5% collegiate relationships, 2% learning and teaching for non-consultant staff, 2% peer support 1% job satisfaction and 1% clinical trials engagement. Similar results were obtained for consultant staff and for registrars / fellows. For consultant medical staff, if multidisciplinary communication was excluded, 44% of respondents gave the highest ranking to quality assurance and governance, 23% to collegiate relationships, 20% ongoing learning for consultants, 10% peer support and 3% clinical trials engagement. Conclusions: When we asked doctors what they valued most about attending cancer MDMs, besides the benefits for patients, communication between disciplines was clearly the most valued aspect. The benefits for quality and governance was the next most valued, then collegiate relationships and peer support, and ongoing learning.