Surgical educationNational survey of surgical morbidity and mortality conferences
Section snippets
Methods
In a single mailing, 2 surveys were sent to every medical school–associated surgical training program in the United States and Canada (n = 127). Survey A was to be completed by the department chair or their designee and queried the general format of each institution’s M&M conference. Specifically, Survey A requested information concerning the discussion of each death, complication, and mistaken diagnosis. Included in Survey A were inquiries as to involvement of autopsy, surgical pathology, and
Survey A
Thirty-four surgical departments responded to Survey A (Appendix A). In regards to conference format, 76% of responding institutions presented all deaths whereas 50% of these institutions discussed all complications (Table 1). Autopsy findings are discussed in 94% of these institutions and radiographic findings are discussed in 97%. All institutions discuss mistaken diagnosis. On average, 48.4 deaths are presented per institution per year, of which 32.6% include deliberation of an autopsy. In
Comments
M&M conferences are based on the concept of education by analysis of error. There is little doubt that our mistakes and failures are ingrained in our consciousness and as such provide a powerful force for teaching. This survey shows strong opinion that, regardless of the level of one’s training, M&M conferences are effective in education. This perceived educational value was emphasized most vividly by the nearly 80% of responders who voiced that they would attend the M&M conferences even if
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