Faculty and resident opinions regarding the role of morbidity and mortality conference.
BACKGROUND
The role of the surgical morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference as a forum for examination of surgical failure may remain unclear. This paper reports the results of a national survey of surgical faculty and trainees regarding the role and effectiveness of the M&M conference.


METHODS
Based on focus groups and pilot studies from multiple institutions in one geographic area, a questionnaire addressing critical issues in attitudes toward the M&M conference was sent to 1,100 randomly chosen subjects nationwide: 500 residents and 600 staff. The survey includes individual and institutional demographic information, 15 statements answered using a Likert scale, and 2 open-ended questions.


RESULTS
Faculty response rate was 501 of 600 (83%) and resident response rate was 166 of 500 (33%). Responses were generally positive in both groups, with staff showing small but significantly more positive attitudes than residents. A higher proportion of residents characterize the M&M conference as too defensive.


CONCLUSIONS
The M&M conference is fulfilling its potential as a teaching tool but there may be room for improvement as residents view the experience slightly less positively than faculty. This questionnaire provides a perspective of expectations for the M&M conference, allowing educators to optimize its effectiveness.
Harbison
S P
SP
Department of Surgery, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Allegheny University Hospitals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19146, USA.
Regehr
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G
D001290:Attitude; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States