Impact of Breast Cancer Teams on Effectiveness
Author Information
Author(s): Bob Haward, Zahra Amir, Clare Borrill, John Dawson, James Scully, Mark West, Richard Sainsbury
Primary Institution: University of Leeds
Hypothesis
How do the constitution, workload, and methods of operation of breast cancer teams affect their effectiveness?
Conclusion
Breast cancer teams with higher workloads and diverse professional compositions showed better clinical performance and effectiveness.
Supporting Evidence
- Teams with more breast care nurses had better clinical performance.
- Higher workload was associated with improved clinical outcomes.
- Professional diversity in teams positively influenced effectiveness.
- Teams with clear leadership showed better participation and quality focus.
- Breast cancer teams had lower psychiatric morbidity compared to other health teams.
Takeaway
Breast cancer teams that work well together and see more patients tend to provide better care.
Methodology
The study evaluated 113 breast teams in England through questionnaires assessing team composition, processes, and outcomes over a year.
Potential Biases
The distribution of medical oncologists was not random, potentially affecting results.
Limitations
The study may have spurious significance due to the large number of comparisons and potential selection bias.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of participants was 45.5 years, with 46.5% female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.003
Confidence Interval
CI 12.7–18.7%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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