{"id":"3422d6c0-90eb-4f16-920b-ae9de4800b4b","slug":"are-morbidity-and-mortality-conferences-dnr-do-not-resuscitate-or-can-they-be-revived","title":"Are morbidity and mortality conferences DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) or can they be revived?","authors":["Nancy E. Epstein"],"abstract":"Background: Morbidity and mortality (M & M) conferences have historically been vital educational experiences for physicians, fostering accountability and learning from adverse events. Recently, these conferences have been largely replaced by Quality Assurance (QA) meetings, which focus more on compliance with quality measures than on educational discussions. Methods: An informal poll was conducted among members of the editorial board of Surgical Neurology International (Spine Supplement) to assess attendance and perceptions regarding M & M conferences. Seventeen board members, including neurosurgeons and orthopedists, responded to questions about the mandatory nature of these conferences and their perceived value. Results: The majority of respondents indicated that attendance at M & M conferences is considered part of the culture, with many agreeing that it should be mandatory, especially for surgeons presenting their own cases. Suggestions for improving attendance included offering continuing medical education (CME) credits and linking attendance to contractual agreements or compensation. Conclusion: M & M conferences should not be deemed DNR (do not resuscitate) but rather can be revitalized to enhance learning from complications and improve patient outcomes. Mandatory attendance, especially for primary surgeons, is essential for fostering a culture of accountability and education. Keywords: morbidity, mortality, conferences, education, quality assurance, surgeons, attendance, patient outcomes","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2012-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.101804","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/3422d6c0-90eb-4f16-920b-ae9de4800b4b/pdf"}