Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings for the older population

This rapid evidence review explores how to effectively carry out practice-level multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings virtually, specifically for people with frailty.

Overview of findings

The COVID-19 pandemic means that multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care are unable to take place face-to-face. This review explored the use of virtual MDTs as an alternative.

A review of available evidence finds that virtual multidisciplinary team (vMDT) meetings might be an integral component for elderly population care. vMDTs have potential benefits, emphasising the possibility of bringing professionals from different backgrounds to work together and provide more integrated, efficient, accessible, and higher quality care overcoming geographical and timing barriers. vMDTs usually have some disadvantages or barriers for their implementation, emphasising the need of a proper infrastructure and good, designated co-ordination.

The summary provided in this review should be taken as informational and not as evidence-based practice. However, the information is likely to be of use to care professionals planning to use a vMDT for the older and frail population.

Citing this report

This report should be cited as:

Sillero-Rejon, C., McLeod, H. and Huntley, A. COV.43: Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings for the older population. 13 May 2020. Available from https://arc-w.nihr.ac.uk/research-and-implementation/covid-19-response/reports/virtual-multidisciplinary-team-meetings-for-the-older-population/