Surgical education
National survey of surgical morbidity and mortality conferences

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Abstract

Background

Morbidity and mortality conferences historically have been a paramount meeting for education and quality assurance within surgical departments of teaching institutions. The purpose of this survey was to assess the present educational value and the quality assurance aspect of surgical mortality conferences.

Methods

Surveys were sent to every academic surgical training program director within the United States and Canada (n = 127) and queried the general format and an individual’s experience and attitude toward their institutions conference.

Results

A total of 546 individuals from 34 institutions returned completed surveys. The survey findings showed that 74% of these surgical departments discussed all deaths and 50% discussed all complications. There was general agreement that surgical morbidity and mortality conferences are of good educational value and effective in reducing future error. The majority of respondents expressed that evidence-based literature should be the primary basis of discussion, with comprehensive presentations that focus on analysis of error.

Conclusions

This survey showed that morbidity and mortality conferences are both educational and perceived by the respondents as effective in reducing future error.

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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