Principle 2 : The right team with clear roles

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Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings bring together the right mix of people to support effective, coordinated care.

Include a diverse team: include a range of roles, such as senior and junior staff, genetic counsellors, clinical geneticists, lab scientists, subspecialists, primary and treating clinicians, researchers, transition coordinators, clinicians in training and consumer representatives (if suitable).
Verify external participants: always check the credentials of any external staff to protect privacy.
Clear roles and responsibilities: clear role definitions ensure the team collaborates effectively and fosters clear, open communication.

Some MDTs may be informal, while others may use terms of reference to guide how the team works.

The MDT Terms of Reference template covers:

  • roles and responsibilities
  • contents of the meeting, i.e. what is in and out of scope
  • meeting organisation and location.

Key roles

      Multidisciplinary team chair

      All MDTs require a chair to run the meeting. One person can hold the role exclusively or it can be shared by the team on a rotating roster.

      The chair is responsible for:

      • ensuring members adhere to the clinical protocols
      • checking all issues relevant to a patient’s management are presented and discussed
      • ensuring all members participate in the meeting, as appropriate to their specialty
      • deciding if there is enough representation to safely make recommendations
      • summarising the discussion and developing an agreed recommendation or plan.

      Multidisciplinary team coordinator

      This role helps the team work efficiently and strengthens the sustainability of the MDT over time. Ideally, the coordinator has a qualification or education in genetics.

      The MDT coordinator plays a key role in managing logistics and communication, including:

      • receiving referrals and checking they are complete
      • liaising with administration staff to create a medical record at the LHD or SHN of the MDT, if the referral is external to where the MDT is located
      • ensuring all clinical information required is documented on the proforma (electronic or paper-based template consisting of the required data fields for the MDT) and is available for discussion
      • ensuring prior pathology, radiology or other results are available and reviewed within agreed timeframes
      • preparing and sharing the clinical MDT meeting agenda in advance and makes it available at the meeting
      • recording and sharing meeting outcomes with the referring clinician (or their delegate). The referring clinician updates the person’s chosen primary care provider, e.g. GP, nurse, midwife, Aboriginal health practitioner

      Attendance

      • Record attendance: document meeting attendance.
      • Primary clinicians can join when needed: the patient's primary clinician can attend if it’s clinically useful.
      • Team members must arrange cover: if a team member can’t attend the meeting, they are responsible for arranging a proxy. If they leave the MDT, they should organise a permanent replacement.
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