Implementation of a multidisciplinary committee within a national oncology society: An educational and quality improvement initiative.

Abstract

e23033 Background: Multidisciplinary care is fundamental to improving quality, safety, and patient-centered outcomes in oncology. However, despite its recognized importance, multiprofessional teams are often underrepresented in the governance and educational structures of medical oncology societies. The Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC), founded in 1981, lacked a formal multidisciplinary committee until recently. Methods: In August 2024, SBOC launched its first Multidisciplinary Committee as a quality improvement and educational initiative. The committee was structured to formally integrate diverse healthcare professionals involved in cancer care, aiming to enhance interprofessional education, improve communication strategies, and promote collaborative oncology practice nationwide. Results: Since its implementation, the committee has led key educational and organizational actions, including the modernization of SBOC’s website and digital communication channels, the development and recording of educational podcasts targeting oncology professionals, and the organization of a dedicated multidisciplinary roundtable at the Brazilian Congress of Clinical Oncology. These initiatives expanded access to multiprofessional perspectives, strengthened educational outreach, and increased engagement among society members. Conclusions: The SBOC Multidisciplinary Committee represents a significant quality improvement, established 43 years after the society's founding. Early outcomes demonstrate the feasibility and value of formally integrating multiprofessional teams into a national oncology society. This experience highlights an effective model to enhance education, collaboration, and quality of oncology care, with potential applicability to other oncology organizations globally.