Understanding the multidisciplinary team

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) is there to support the person with cancer and also their carers, but dealing with health professionals can be intimidating, especially if it’s something new for you. You may feel overwhelmed by all the new information or working out who to talk to about different issues.

Try keeping a notebook to record which members of the MDT are responsible for what area of care. You might need to make the initial contact with them if it doesn’t happen automatically. Having a key contact person in the MDT, such as a cancer care coordinator, can help you feel more comfortable.

Health professionals you might see

General practitioner (GP) – assists you with treatment decisions and works with specialists to provide ongoing care
Surgeon – treats cancer by operating to remove tumours and performs some biopsies
Medical oncologist – treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (systemic treatment)
Radiation oncologist – treats cancer by prescribing and coordinating the course of radiation therapy
Haematologist – diagnoses and treats diseases of the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system
Cancer care coordinator – coordinates care, liaises with other members of the MDT, and supports the patient and family
Other coordinator – not everyone sees a cancer care coordinator, but a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) may also coordinate care
Nurses – administer drugs and provide care, information and support throughout treatment
Dietitian – recommends an eating plan to follow during treatment and recovery
Physiotherapist – helps with restoring movement and mobility, and preventing further injury
Occupational therapist – assesses changes needed to the home and suggests equipment to help with daily activities, improve quality of life and manage fatigue
Social worker – links patients and families to support services and helps with emotional or practical issues
Counsellor, psychologist – provide emotional support and new strategies to cope with the situation and deal with difficulties
Spiritual care practitioner (pastoral carer) – helps people work through spiritual matters

Listen to podcasts on Cancer Affects the Carer Too and How to Help Someone with Cancer

This information was last reviewed in September 2017. View who reviewed this content.

Tina Chivende, Social Worker, Cancer Psychosocial Service, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, ACT; Gabrielle Asprey, Telephone Support Group Facilitator, Cancer Council NSW; Dr Ben Britton, Senior Clinical and Health Psychologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle and John Hunter Hospital, and Conjoint Lecturer, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW; Valmai Goodwin, Psychologist, Cancer Counselling Service, Cancer Council QLD; Karen Hall, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Zoe Mitchell, Senior Social Worker, Palliative Care, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Amber Rose, Consumer; Carolina Simpson, Policy and Development Officer, Carers NSW.

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