Establishing a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary palliative care team meeting: A rural experience

Background
Multi-agency, muiti-disciplinary palliative care team meetings (MDT) were established in August, 2004 to assist with the delivery of care to people with a life limiting illness in Coffs Harbour.

Aim
To establish a palliative care MDT forum to ensure that local health care providers caring for people with a life limiting illness had access to specialist support and advice.

Method
An action research process has guided the development and implementation of the multi-agency, palliative care MDT. A critical reference group has determined the terms of reference and mapped out the meeting format. Education has assisted the team to understand the rules of engagement.

Findings
Since August 2004, a total of 91 MDT meetings have planned care for 238 patients. There has been participation from 723 health care providers with 96 Enhanced Primary Care items being generated. Specialist Physicians have had input into 80 MDT. This forum has provided opportunities for promoting the delivery of evidence based care, networking and action learning opportunities. There has been active participation from generalist providers seeking support with the management of patients or residents with more complex palliative care needs.

Conclusion
The establishment of a weekly multi-agency palliative care MDT meeting has been critical to strengthening partnerships and enhancing the delivery of palliative care locally. The next stage is to measure the impact the MDT has had on palliative care delivery and the degree to which the MDT recommendations have been implemented.