Occupational Lung Disease MDT

Expert consensus for complex respiratory assessments​

Strengthen and refine your clinical decision-making through access to peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary specialist insight. Reduce diagnostic uncertainty and receive consensus-based occupational respiratory recommendations.

What is the MDT?

Boncentric’s virtual Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) connects referring clinicians with a panel of nationally recognised specialists in occupational lung disease, respiratory medicine, radiology and occupational medicine. The MDT supports structured review of complex or diagnostically uncertain cases, integrating:

Exposure history
Imaging (including HRCT)
Lung function testing

Clinical findings

Regulatory and surveillance context

Who is the MDT for?

The MDT is designed to support Respiratory and Occupational Physicians managing:

  • Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme assessments
  • Mineral Mine & Quarry (MMQ) respiratory surveillance medicals
  • Respirable Crystalline Silica health monitoring
  • Indeterminate or complex imaging findings
  • Borderline, discordant, or mixed spirometry results
  • Complex exposure histories across multiple industries
  • Suspected dust-related lung disease (e.g. silicosis, asbestosis, coal mine dust lung disease, occupational COPD)
  • Fitness-for-work or return-to-work determinations in workers with respiratory impairment

Why refer to an MDT?

Diagnosing occupational respiratory disease requires integrating exposure history, imaging, lung function results and regulatory context. Unfortunately, many clinicians don’t have ready access to specialist occupational expertise or peer review. Our MDT model addresses this gap by bringing together experienced clinicians in occupational medicine, respiratory medicine and radiology to review complex cases collaboratively, ensuring decisions are informed by both clinical evidence and the relevant regulatory frameworks.

Occupational respiratory disease often sits at the interface of clinical medicine, radiology and exposure science. Early pneumoconiosis, smoking-related disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and idiopathic interstitial lung disease may present with overlapping features. An MDT review helps clarify:

  • Early or borderline radiological changes
  • Discordant imaging and lung function findings
  • Latency considerations
  • Causation and contribution analysis

Many occupational respiratory cases carry statutory, compensation, or reporting implications. An MDT consensus:

  • Documents structured peer review
  • Supports defensible classification and reporting
  • Aligns recommendations with national surveillance frameworks
  • Reduces individual clinician risk in contested cases

Accurate interpretation requires understanding:

  • Cumulative dose and mixed dust exposure
  • Industry-specific risk profiles
  • Historical workplace controls
  • Interaction with smoking or other comorbidities

The MDT provides occupationally contextualised interpretation rather than isolated radiology or spirometry commentary.

Conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis, and coal mine dust lung disease require early recognition, accurate staging, and clear follow-up planning. MDT input supports:

  • Appropriate surveillance intervals
  • Management recommendations
  • Exposure cessation advice
  • Referral pathways where required

Not all cases are clear-cut. Many involve:

  • Mild imaging changes of uncertain significance
  • Borderline restrictive or obstructive patterns
  • Asymptomatic workers with abnormal screening findings

Consensus guidance reduces variability and strengthens clinical decision-making.

What do you receive?

Each referral generates clear, structured outcomes to support your clinical decision-making.

Multidisciplinary expert consensus

Diagnostic clarification and classification guidance

Recommendations for management and follow-up

Documentation and reporting advice

Regulatory and compensation pathway guidance

A simple referral process

Obtain patient consent

Submit referral online

Upload clinical information

Attend MDT (optional)

Receive formal MDT report

An expert panel

Cases are reviewed collaboratively by leading specialists in occupational lung disease.

Dr Catherine Jones
Radiologist

Dr Graeme Edwards
Occupational Physician

Dr Justin Hundloe
Respiratory Specialist

Refer a case today

Submit securely via our online referral portal

Submit MDT Referral

An all-inclusive fee of $929+GST per case applies which will be invoiced at month-end following completion of the MDT review.

During the referral process, referrers must nominate the responsible payer for this fee (typically the patient’s employer, if part of an occupational respiratory health surveillance program).

Please ensure the responsible payer has provided consent to the MDT case fee prior to the referral.