TITLE:
Digitalization of Multidisciplinary Cancer Consultation Meetings (MCCMs) in Senegal: Early Implementation of a Collaborative Digital Platform
AUTHORS:
Mamour Gueye, Mame Diarra Ndiaye, Aissatou Mbodji, Moussa Diallo, Mamadou Cisse, Awa Sadikh Badiane, Kanta Ka, Sidy Ka, El Hadji Daouda Niang, Daba Diop, Awa Ndiaye, Amadou Ndiassé Kasse, Ndèye Fatou Sow, Dior Ndiaye, Lissoune Cisse, Faty Balla Lo, Ibrahima Ka, Mouhamadou Bachir Ba, Rokhaya Désiré Niang, Salif Balde, Mamadou Mour Traore, Khady Thiam, Jaffar Thiam, Seynabou Fall, Papa Saloum Diop, Fatou Samba Ndiaye, Ibou Thiam, Seydina Bilal Mbengue, Papa Macoumba Gaye, Mouhamadou Moustapha Dieng
KEYWORDS:
Digital Health, Multidisciplinary Cancer Consultation Meetings, Teleoncology, Implementation Research, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Cancer care delivery in Senegal is challenged by limited specialist availability, geographic disparities, and logistical constraints that hinder regular multidisciplinary cancer consultation meetings (MCCMs). Although MCCMs are internationally recognized as the gold standard for coordinated oncology decision-making, their organization remains difficult in low-resource settings. Digital health innovations offer an opportunity to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and improve access to specialist expertise. Objective: To design, implement, and pilot a secure digital platform for multidisciplinary cancer consultation meetings in Senegal and to assess its feasibility, adoption, and early process-level impact on cancer care coordination. Methods: This project was conducted as an implementation research and quality improvement initiative. A mixed-methods needs assessment involving oncology professionals informed the development of a centralized, web-based MCCM platform. The platform enabled secure sharing of patient case data, virtual multidisciplinary discussions, scheduling, documentation, and archiving of clinical decisions. Pilot implementation took place between October 2024 and 2025 across selected tertiary and regional oncology care sites. Evaluation focused on platform deployment, user uptake, multidisciplinary participation, meeting frequency, communication quality, training outcomes, and data security, using system usage indicators and qualitative feedback from participating healthcare professionals. Results: The digital MCCM platform was successfully deployed and used for real-world cancer case discussions during the pilot phase. Forty-five healthcare professionals actively used the system, representing approximately 53% of the targeted national oncology workforce, including all practicing oncologists in Dakar and several specialists from regional hospitals. Virtual MCCMs typically involved 5 - 6 specialists per case, enabling multidisciplinary participation across institutions without geographic constraints. Several pilot sites increased MCCM frequency from monthly to bi-weekly meetings, and ad-hoc meetings for urgent cases became feasible. Clinicians reported improved efficiency, clearer communication, and enhanced traceability of multidisciplinary decisions through centralized access to clinical data and digital documentation. Training activities resulted in high user confidence and contributed to a positive shift toward digital collaboration in oncology practice. No data security breaches or unauthorized access incidents were reported during the pilot. Conclusions: Digitalization of MCCMs in Senegal was feasible, well accepted, and associated with meaningful improvements in multidisciplinary collaboration and care coordination at the process level. By reducing logistical barriers and extending access to specialist expertise, the platform addresses critical gaps in cancer care delivery in low-resource settings. These findings support the potential for scalable digital MCCM solutions to strengthen oncology services and promote more equitable cancer care, warranting further evaluation of long-term sustainability and patient-level outcomes.