title: A critical evaluation of the morbidity and mortality conference.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to evaluate the impact of changes made to our morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 23-item survey using corresponding Likert-type scales was created. Faculty and residents were asked to anonymously complete the surveys in June 1999. Based on this information, specific modifications were made to the conference. The same survey was administered to faculty and residents in the Fall of 2000. Analysis was performed using Student t tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postsurvey findings showed residents felt eight components improved significantly (P <0.05). Faculty noted nonsignificant improvement in nine survey items and decline in nine items (five unchanged).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in content and structure made to enhance our M&M conference's educational value resulted in significant improvements as perceived by the surgical residents. Interestingly, these changes had only minimal impact on faculty perceptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, 201 East Huron, Galter 10-105, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Kmurayama@nmff.org
authors.forename: Kenric M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Derossis
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: DaRosa
authors.forename: Heather B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fryer
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004493:Education; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends*; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D010380:Peer Review; D011336:Probability; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States