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Establishing a video Multidisciplinary Team meeting between Cameroon, Central Africa, and Leeds, UK, childhood cancer services
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  • Bernard Wirndzem Njodzeka,
  • Glenn Afungchwi,
  • Francine Kouya,
  • Susan Picton,
  • Roly Squire,
  • Brian Jator,
  • Vera Njamshi,
  • Richard Bardin,
  • Peter Hesseling,
  • Rachel Hollis,
  • Ghislain Feudjio,
  • Jessica Morgan
Bernard Wirndzem Njodzeka
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Glenn Afungchwi
Mbingo Baptist Hospital
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Francine Kouya
Mbingo Baptist Hospital
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Susan Picton
Leeds General Infirmary
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Roly Squire
St. James University Hospital
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Brian Jator
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service
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Vera Njamshi
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board
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Richard Bardin
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service
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Peter Hesseling
Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Rachel Hollis
Leeds Children's Hospital
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Ghislain Feudjio
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service
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Jessica Morgan
University of York
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Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings provide a regular, structured meeting of a core group of professionals to provide expert decision-making in individual patient care. We describe our experiences in establishing a virtual pediatric oncology MDT between twinning partners in Cameroon (4 hospitals) and the UK. Methods Monthly video conferencing MDT meetings were established in March 2019, initially using Google meet then using Zoom platforms. Case details were circulated using formal proformas. Standard operating procedures were outlined for the MDT conduct. Results There have been 269 discussions of 201 patients in 21 meetings. Patients have been varied in age (up to 24 years). Eighty-seven (43.3%) patients had NHL, 16 (8.0%) had Wilms tumour, 20 (10.0%) had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, 19 (9.5%) had Retinoblastoma and 59 (29.4%) had other malignancies. Four of the patients did not have a malignancy. The majority of patients had stage 3 (51, 45.1%) or stage 4 (59, 52.2%). Nine patients had relapsed disease. Core team members reported positive benefits from the MDT, including defining goals of care, shared decision making, professional education and team-building. Conclusions Virtual MDT meetings between geographically dispersed teams are possible and have proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person visits are not permitted. Cancer treatment cannot be done in isolation; the regular MDT meetings have paved the way for informed care through regular consultancy.
29 Sep 2021Submitted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer
29 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
29 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
04 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major