Aim:
Multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) presentation is recommended for all new lung cancer diagnoses as part of the Australian Lung Cancer Optimal Care Pathway. This project aimed to describe the impacts of clinical quality registry function on MDM presentation. The characteristics of patients with lung cancer who were presented or not presented to a lung cancer MDM were identified to identify barriers and enablers to presentation, and evaluate the impact of MDM presentation on patient population outcomes, including survival.
Method:
Prospective data from the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (2011–2022) were analysed (n=18,597). Factors associated with MDM presentation were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression models.
Results:
Overall, 63.6% of patients were presented at an MDM. Factors significantly associated with MDM presentation included younger age, an ECOG score <2, being a never-smoker, and the absence of comorbidities. MDM presentation was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (HR 0.76 [95% CI: 0.72–0.80]). Overall, MDM presentation rates increased from 59.1% in 2011 to 80.6% in 2022. Site-specific analyses showed consistent improvements over time, reflecting the registry’s positive influence in reducing unwarranted clinical variation and promoting best practice across services.
Conclusion:
MDM presentation provides a significant survival benefit for lung cancer patients. This study identified key demographic and clinical factors influencing MDM presentation which may inform site-specific improvement. Furthermore, site-specific analyses highlight the role of the VLCR in improving MDM presentation rates over time, reinforcing the role of clinical quality registries in promoting best practice and improving patient outcomes across health services.