COV. 43: Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings for the older population

This review includes 10 recent publications describing eight virtual multidisciplinary team (vMDT) interventions. These vMDT interventions describe care of the general older population as well as specific neurological, mental health and metabolic conditions pertinent to the older, complex patient. No publications specifically on people with frailty were found. All but one of the studies are
descriptive and observational in design; outlining the design and conduct of a vMDT and the authors interpretation of its utility. In this review we describe the studies and summarise the basic design
features of vMDTs as well as the positive and negative experiences expressed by the authors. Quality appraisal of the included studies was not conducted due to the pragmatic design and reporting of
the research. It is therefore important that the summary provided in this review should be taken as informational and not as evidence-based practice. However, the information provided below is likely to be of use to care professionals planning to use a vMDT for the older and frail population. We conclude that vMDT might be an integral component for elderly population care. vMDTs have potential benefits, emphasising the possibility of bringing professionals from different backgrounds to work together and provide more integrated, efficient, accessible, and higher quality care overcoming geographical and timing barriers. vMDTs usually have some disadvantages or barriers for their implementation, emphasising the need of a proper infrastructure and good, designated coordination.