Understanding the impact of health inequities in surgical complications: Rethinking morbidity and mortality conferences

Abstract

Morbidity and Mortality (M & M) conferences have been a mainstay of physician education, patient care analysis, and systems improvement for more than a century. The M & M conferences began with Ernest Codman’s “End Results System” to provide objective quality assessment. This system used the clinical history and outcomes of patients to systematically review adverse outcomes and identify errors.1 The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) defined 6 determined core competencies—interpersonal and communication skills, medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, professionalism, and systems-based practice.