"The impact of structure on the performance of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings within healthcare networks"
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2024-06-26
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en
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Abstract
This study aimed to diagnose the structural factors affecting the effectiveness of Multidisciplinary
Team Meetings (MDTMs) within the Breast Cancer network East of the Netherlands, using the
socio-technical theory by De Sitter (1994) on adequate structures. Therefore, this study applied the
socio-technical theories on organizational performance to a network level, adding on to the more
descriptive literature on structural determinants for network effectiveness from social-network theory.
Through qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the study
compared the desired structure of MDTMs with their actual structure to identify a potential gap, and
investigate whether the current issues within MDTMs relate to the structuring of these meetings.
Findings revealed that both the Breast Cancer network and the ARTZ network (together
forming the Breast Cancer network East of the Netherlands), despite their different levels of formal
establishment, achieved their primary goal of providing optimal, personalized treatment plans for
patients. The study identified that maintaining low values in structural parameters such as functional
concentration, differentiation, specialization, and separation of tasks positively influenced MDTM
effectiveness. The results generate practical implications, suggesting smaller, self-autonomous
networks to optimize MDTM effectiveness. Theoretical implications highlight the utility of
socio-technical theory in analysing network-level structures.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen