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. 2014 May 28:7:227-30.
doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S60604. eCollection 2014.

Overcoming obstacles to establish a multidisciplinary team approach to hepatobiliary diseases: a working model in a Caribbean setting

Shamir O Cawich  1 , Peter B Johnson  2 , Sundeep Shah  2 , Patrick Roberts  2 , Milton Arthurs  2 , Trevor Murphy  2 , Kimon O Bonadie  2 , Ivor W Crandon  1 , Hyacinth E Harding  1 , Mohammed Abu Hilal  3 , Neil W Pearce  3
Affiliations

Overcoming obstacles to establish a multidisciplinary team approach to hepatobiliary diseases: a working model in a Caribbean setting

Shamir O Cawich et al. J Multidiscip Healthc. .

Abstract

Introduction: By providing a structured forum to exchange information and ideas, multidisciplinary team meetings improve working relationships, expedite investigations, promote evidence-based treatment, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

Methods: This discursive paper reports the introduction of a multidisciplinary team approach to manage hepatobiliary diseases in Jamaica, focusing on the challenges encountered and the methods used to overcome these obstacles.

Conclusion: Despite multiple challenges in resource-limited environments, a multidisciplinary team approach can be incorporated into clinical practice in developing nations. Policy makers should make it a priority to support clinical, operational, and governance aspects of the multidisciplinary teams.

Keywords: cancer; decision-making; health care policy.

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