The Perception and Development of Virtual Multidisciplinary Teams in Oncology in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Background: Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) are a mandatory requirement of modern oncology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual MDTs replaced nearly all face-to-face MDTs. This study evaluated strengths, weaknesses, perceived quality, and outcomes of virtual MDTs compared to face-to-face MDTs. Furthermore, the extent of permanent implementation of virtual MDTs in oncology after COVID-19 was evaluated. Methods: Switzerland-wide, participants of MDTs were surveyed with 44 questions concerning different dimensions of perceived meeting quality and technical aspects. Descriptive and comparative analysis was performed. Results: In 170 responses, communication discipline, meeting dedication, or perceived quality were rated comparably to standard MDTs. Time efficiency and outcomes of virtual meetings were rated similarly by 68% and 75% of all participants, respectively. Workspace setup did not significantly influence the subjective quality, while surgeons were less likely to rate the quality as good. After COVID-19, 41 (38%) of 108 MDTs have been permanently converted to a virtual format. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of Swiss MDTs have permanently switched to a purely virtual format or offer a hybrid option. Meeting quality, communication discipline, and dedication were comparable. However, assessing the quality of MDTs remains challenging due to their multifactorial nature.