The eagerly anticipated Annual Conference did not disappoint. Starting with the Dream MDT before us: debating , discussing, disagreeing and deliberating each of the ‘patient’ case studies. Representation from all relevant clinicians.
We had all three lung cancer nurses attend from our team and were reassured our format follows the Dream MDTs, noted that there are strong characters in all MDTs and they left us with some thoughts:
- Although the recognised WHO Performance state is gold standard and what we use, should be consider and trial a frailty score?
- Is spirometry alone the singular acceptable pre-biopsy test or should we walk test the patients in clinic (for ambulatory oxygen saturations)?
Acute oncology followed on from the MDT (sorry surgeons!) the J&J symposium was thought provoking about current and upcoming treatments.
Following the Gala Dinner, Friday arrived. A highlight was end of life care and talking the right language. One critical take home message is the realisation that everyone's perceptions of conversations/consultations differ.
The BTOG update was excellent and informative. Team Meso UK delivered a whistlestop tour – impressive!
As always the patient experience was profound and, left us journeying home, remembering why we do what we do.
Be sure to save the date for 2025 - 19th - 20th June, London Heathrow