Morbidity and Mortality Conference in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Tool for Addressing the 6 Core Competencies

Abstract

Residency program directors are challenged to effectively teach and assess the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) 6 competencies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference as a cost-effective and efficient approach for addressing the ACGME competencies through evaluation of resident participation and case diversity. In our modified M&M conference, senior residents submit a weekly list of cases to the conference proctors. The resident presents the case, including a critique of management, using the medical literature. The resident submits a case summary evaluating patient care practices, integrating scientific evidence, and evaluating systemic barriers to care. Completed case summaries are distributed and archived for reference. During a 3-year period, 30 residents presented 196 cases. Of these, 37 (19%) directly related to systems-based practice, 20 (10%) involved problems with inadequate communication, and 11 (6%) included issues of professionalism or ethics. All cases involved practice-based learning and medical knowledge. The M&M conference addresses the core competencies through resident participation as well as directed analysis of diverse cases.