Faculty and resident opinions regarding the role of morbidity and mortality conference

BACKGROUND: The role of the surgical morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferen ce as a forum for examination of surgical failure may remain unclear. This paper reports the results of a national survey of surgical faculty and trai nees 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 atti tudes 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 Like rt scale, and 2 open-ended questions. RESULTS: Faculty response rate was 501 of 600 (83%) and resident response r ate was 166 of 500 (33%). Responses were generally positive in both groups, with staff showing small but significantly more positive attitudes than re sidents. A higher proportion of residents characterize the M&M conference a s too defensive. CONCLUSION: The M&M conference is fulfilling its potential as a teaching to ol but there may be room for improvement as residents view the experience s lightly less positively than faculty. This questionnaire provides a perspec tive of expectations for the M&M conference, allowing educators to optimize its effectiveness. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.