VICS progress MDM Tools and processes project: September udpate

Progress is being made on the VICS Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM) Tools and processes project, with work to update the MDM Quality framework and Minimum dataset well underway.

Led by clinicians across Victoria, the Tools and processes project is the first in a series of VICS-led MDM quality improvement initiatives designed to strengthen multidisciplinary cancer care in Victoria as part of the VICS MDM Quality Program. By improving the governance and efficiency of MDMs, VICS will help ensure that patient needs and multidisciplinary treatment planning continue to be addressed in a timely manner.

Insights gathered during the Focused Assessment phase [PDF] of the project from 75 clinicians working across 15 Victorian health services have helped identify opportunities to improve MDM practices. Ongoing clinical engagement throughout the Tools and processes project has been critical to ensuring that the planned updates to both the Quality framework and Minimum dataset address the current and future needs of Victorian MDMs.

Once completed, the updated Quality framework will provide Victorian health services with guidance for delivering and monitoring multidisciplinary cancer meetings. The revised Minimum dataset will support quality improvement and greater consistency in MDM practices across Victoria.

Multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) support best-practice cancer care, enabling coordinated treatment planning and decision-making. Across Victoria, approximately 7000 MDMs are held each year.

Through project initiatives like the VICS MDM Tools and processes project, we are working to ensure MDM practices are consistent, sustainable and supportive of high-quality, patient-centred cancer care across Victoria.