Medical Student Involvement and Learning Objectives in Morbidity and Mortality Conferences: A National Survey of the Association for Surgical Education's Committee of Clerkship Directors

Abstract

Background: Despite implementation of Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conference across surgical graduate medical education, sparse literature exists regarding the attendance and involvement of medical students. We sought to examine student involvement and learning objectives for M&M on a national level.

Methods: A survey was distributed through the Association for Surgical Education Committee of Clerkship Directors. Questions examined demographics, teaching practices regarding M&M, and student learning objectives.

Results: Forty-eight responses were collected reflecting practices of weekly M&M (96%) and required student attendance (93%). Students are observers in 61% of M&Ms, observer with questions in 37%, and presenter at 2%. Learning objectives for M&M highlighted exposing students to conference style (76%), reflective learning (63%), and highlighting medical error (78%).

Conclusions: It is the national standard for medical students to attend weekly M&M. Student learning objectives reflect desires to improve exposure to this style of teaching conference and understanding the gravity of medical error.

Keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; Systems-Based Practice; graduate medical education; morbidity and mortality conference; surgical education; undergraduate medical education.