If your doctor has told you that your case will be discussed at an MDT, you may be wondering what that means. It is a normal part of managing complex conditions such as aspergillosis and does not necessarily mean something is wrong.
What does MDT mean?
MDT stands for Multidisciplinary Team.
It brings together healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise to discuss a patient’s diagnosis, investigations and treatment options.
Aspergillosis can be difficult to diagnose and manage, so having several specialists consider a case together can be particularly helpful.
Who takes part in an MDT?
Depending on the case, the team may include respiratory doctors, infectious diseases specialists, medical mycologists, radiologists, microbiologists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Each contributes a different perspective, helping the team reach well-informed recommendations.
Why has my case been referred?
There are several possible reasons:
- Your diagnosis is uncertain or your test results need specialist interpretation.
- Your treatment isn’t working as expected.
- Your doctor is considering different treatment options.
- Your condition has changed.
- Your healthcare team would benefit from additional specialist advice.
An MDT discussion does not necessarily mean your condition has become more serious.
Will I need to travel to the National Aspergillosis Centre?
Not necessarily.
The National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) provides specialist advice to healthcare professionals across the UK. Your local doctor may be able to discuss your case with NAC specialists while continuing to manage your care locally.
You can read more about this in Contacting the National Aspergillosis Centre.
What happens during the discussion?
The specialists may review your medical history, CT scans, blood tests, sputum results, current medication and previous treatments.
They consider the available evidence and discuss what further investigations or treatments might be appropriate.
The MDT then makes recommendations to the clinical team responsible for your care.
Will this delay my treatment?
An MDT discussion may take some time to arrange, but it can help your doctors make better-informed decisions and avoid unnecessary investigations or unsuitable treatment.
Urgent assessment or treatment should not be delayed while waiting for a routine MDT meeting.
Will I hear what the MDT decided?
Your own healthcare team should explain the recommendations and discuss any proposed changes with you.
If you haven’t heard anything, it is reasonable to ask:
“Has my case been discussed at the MDT, and what were the recommendations?”
Can my case be discussed more than once?
Yes. An MDT may discuss your case during diagnosis, when treatment needs reviewing, or if your condition changes.
Repeated discussions can be part of good ongoing care.
The important thing to remember
An MDT brings specialist expertise together to help your healthcare team make the best possible decisions about your care.
It is a valuable part of managing complex conditions such as aspergillosis, and it does not automatically mean that your illness is worsening.
For more information about NAC’s national advisory role, read More Than a Referral Centre: How NAC Supports Patients and Healthcare Professionals Across the UK.
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