Facts, Views & Vision
in ObGyn

Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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Recommendations for the implementation and conduct of multidisciplinary team meetings for those providing endometriosis and adenomyosis care – a Delphi consensus of the European Endometriosis League (EEL)

L. Burla1,2, D. R. Kalaitzopoulos1, N. Samartzis1, S. Khazali3, A. Bokor4, S.P. Renner5, G. Hudelist6, A.S. Constantin7, S.D. Schäfer8, J. Nassif9, A. Naem10,11, J. Keckstein12, H. Krentel10 and the EEL MDT meeting Consensus Group

1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
2 Department of Gynecology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
3 Center for Endometriosis and Minimally Invasive Gynecology (CEMIG London), HCA The Lister Hospital, London, United Kingdom
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
5 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Böblingen, Klinikverbund-Suedwest, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Böblingen, Germany;
6 Department of Gynecology, Center for Endometriosis, Hospital St. John of God, Vienna, Austria
7 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
8 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clemenshospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
9 Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
10 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Senology, Bethesda Hospital Duisburg, Duisburg Germany
11 Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
12 Endometriosis Clinic Dres. Keckstein, Villach, Austria; University Ulm; Ulm, Germany

Keywords:

Endometriosis, adenomyosis, endometriosis multidisciplinary team meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, multidisciplinary teams, multidisciplinary endometriosis board


Published online: Sep 30 2024

https://doi.org/10.52054/FVVO.16.3.038

Abstract

Background: The treatment of endometriosis and adenomyosis requires a complex, multidisciplinary approach. Some centres have established multidisciplinary teams (MDT) and regular meetings. There are currently no international data or recommendations.

Objectives: To examine existing MDT meetings and define consensus recommendations to support implementation and conduct.

Materials and Methods: Online questionnaires were sent through the European Endometriosis League (EEL) based on a Delphi protocol. After a literature review and assessment of existing MDT meetings, essential aspects for consensus statements were identified. The consensus statements were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale with the possibility to modify them. Results were analysed between rounds and reported to the respondents.
Consensus, defined as ≥70% agreement, concluded the Delphi process when achieved in the majority of statements.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence and type of existing MDT meetings and recommendations.

Results: In round 1, 69 respondents participated, with 49.3% (34) having an MDT meeting at their institutions, of which 97% are multidisciplinary. 50 % meet once a month and 64.7% indicated that less than 25% of their patients are discussed. Throughout the three rounds, 47 respondents from 21 countries participated. During the process, 82 statements were defined, with an agreement of 92.7% on the statements.

Conclusions: This study assessed existing MDT meetings for endometriosis and adenomyosis and developed recommendations for their implementation and conduct. The consensus group supports the strengths of MDT meetings, highlighting their role in offering guideline-based, multidisciplinary, and personalised care.

What is new? This study presents the first international data and recommendations on MDT meetings for endometriosis and adenomyosis.