Multidoctor

Multidoctor is a term used to describe arrangements or systems that involve more than one physician in patient care or in the management of clinical information. The concept emphasizes collaboration among clinicians, shared decision making, and the distribution of responsibilities across subspecialties or care settings. The term is used across health care domains and also appears in software tool descriptions that support multi-provider workflows.

In clinical practice, multidoctor arrangements are common in contemporary medicine through second opinions, consult teams, and multidisciplinary care teams. They enable specialists to contribute diagnostic input and plan treatment, particularly for complex or rare conditions. Effective multidoctor care relies on clear governance, defined roles, shared access to patient records, and documentation that respects patient consent and confidentiality.

In information technology and health IT, multidoctor features refer to software platforms that permit multiple clinicians to access, annotate, and manage a single patient case. These systems support auditing, version control, and role-based access. They are used in hospital information systems, telemedicine platforms, and research environments to coordinate care and reduce duplication of effort.

Challenges include liability allocation, workflow coordination, data interoperability, and privacy compliance across jurisdictions. Benefits can include improved diagnostic accuracy, broader expertise, and resilience against individual clinician unavailability. The exact meaning and implementation of multidoctor vary by institution and field.

See also: multidisciplinary team, shared decision making, second opinion, joint consultation, electronic health record.