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P145 Integrated care of swallow and reflux multi-disciplinary meeting – patient outcomes and clinician perspectives

gutjnl · 2026-06-23 · canonical JSON source

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Introduction Patients with dysphagia and reflux symptoms present to gastroenterology, ear nose and throat (ENT) surgery, upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery and speech and language therapy (SLT). This suggests that a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach involving these specialties would likely result in improved outcomes for these patients (Gregor, J W. et al 2025). The integrated care of swallow and reflux (ICOS-R) meeting was established for this purpose.The aim of this study was to characterise the cohort of patients referred to this meeting and the value of this MDT to the clinicians attending (McCarthy K et al.2025).Methods A retrospective review of 68 patients discussed in 2023 was carried out. Demographic data, indication for discussion, and MDT outcome was recorded.A questionnaire was sent to clinicians participating in the MDT about perceptions of how the MDT contributes to patient outcomes and gauge the value of the meeting to the clinicians themselves, as a forum to discuss cases, for teamworking, and learning.Results 68 cases were discussed, 25 referred by ENT surgery, 16 by gastroenterology, 7 by SLT, and 20 by UGI surgery. Median age of patients discussed was 58 (range 23 to 92 years), 27 male, 34 female, 7 unrecorded.Outcome of discussion at the ICOS-R meeting included suggesting conservative management in 21%, further testing in 38%, UGI surgery in 10%, ENT surgery in 4%, interventional endoscopy in 3%, SLT optimisation in 7%, diagnosis of a DGBI in 10% (belching disorder, reflux hypersensitivity and functional dysphagia), and referral for a clinic review in 3%.16 clinicians responded to the questionnaire. Clinicians felt the MDT helped improve patient outcomes, with each domain scoring 73 - 93% (median 90%). 67% felt diagnostic delays were reduced, 100% felt the MDT facilitated avoidance of inappropriate investigations and treatments, facilitating better selection of management strategies, and 67% felt the MDT had a positive impact on quality of life for patients. 80% of respondents said the MDT was extremely effective at improving patient management and outcomes. 53% felt the MDT often changed diagnosis, staging or management compared to their initial assessment. 93% felt the perspectives of different specialties were often integrated into final management recommendations. 87% felt they benefitted from collaborative learning opportunities, and 87% felt the MDT facilitated communication between the different specialties.Conclusions This study demonstrates the value of gastroenterology, UGI, ENT and SLT MDT working to facilitate the investigation and management of patients with dysphagia and reflux symptoms. Clinicians feel the MDT is a valuable resource, helping improve patient outcomes, MDT working and learning.Abstract P145 Figure 1Indication for discussion at ICOS-R meeting (n=68)