How do breast cancer patients experience multidisciplinary tumor conferences? – A description from the patient perspective

Abstract Objectives Aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of breast cancer patients who participated in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs). Study design Data from two consecutive years of an annual postal survey of patients with primary breast cancer were combined. Data was collected between February and July 2015 (response rate 72%) and 2016 (response rate 73%) from N = 8893 patients (ICD-10 C50) after hospital discharge from 86 breast cancer center hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The study used a mixed-methods design. Standardized quantitative survey questions were analyzed descriptively and an open-ended question was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Around 9% of the patients were invited to participate in a multidisciplinary tumor conference (MTC) and 49% of the invited patients reported actual participation in a MTC. Approximately 87% of those patients did not regret their participation in the MTC. The qualitative analysis from the open-ended question indicated that MTC participation was perceived by patients as being both supportive and informative ( n  = 109 expressions). However, some patients reported difficult experiences and emotional reactions during and after participation ( n  = 37 expressions). Altogether, the patients' perception was divided into positive and negative, cognitive and emotional experiences following participation in a MTC. Conclusion The perception of the MTCs varies between the participating patients. Further research on advantages and disadvantages for patients and particularly on the feasibility from the provider's perspective is necessary.