Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings for decisions on cancer management are a cornerstone of UK cancer policy. We have proposed a comprehensive methodology to assess the clinical and economic effectiveness of telemedicine in this setting, which is being tested in a randomized breast cancer trial. Pre- and post-telemedicine assessment includes attitudes to and expectations of telemedicine, based on semistructured interviews. The communication content of videotapes of the MDT meeting is being scored using Borgatta's revised Interaction Process Analysis System. The technical performance of the telemedicine equipment is reported on a standardized pro forma. A short questionnaire captures key elements of professional satisfaction for each patient discussion (consensus on future management, confidence in and sharing of decision), added value of linkage, group atmosphere, overall conduct of the meeting and compliance with SIGN guidelines. A cost-minimization analysis will be used for economic assessment.
Summary: We describe a case of collagenous colitis in a young man with coeliac disease who had responded clinically and histologically to a gluten-free diet three years previously. The collagenous colitis responded initially to oral corticosteroid therapy and he is now asymptomatic (and with normal rectal mucosa) on oral mesalazine. Collagenous colitis should be considered in the coeliac patient with diarrhoea despite adherence to a gluten-free diet.
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