Openness to new perspectives created by patient participation at the morbidity and mortality meeting

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Gynecological Oncology

Background:

• Morbidity and mortality meetings (M&MMs) are crucial for surgical departments to review patient cases and identify areas for improvement.
• Traditionally, M&MMs involve healthcare professionals discussing adverse events (AEs), but patient perspectives have been largely absent.
• Incorporating patient participation may offer unique insights into the patient experience and improve learning outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the practical constraints and experiences of involving patients in M&MMs within a gynecological oncology department.
• To understand the perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals regarding patient participation in M&MMs.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and healthcare professionals who participated in M&MMs.
• Interviews took place between 2016 and 2018 at a gynecological oncology department.
• Thematic content analysis was performed on transcribed interview data.

Main Results:

• Eight patients and 17 healthcare professionals participated in the study.
• Eleven themes emerged, focusing on interpersonal dynamics, including the patient-doctor relationship, communication, and personal impact.
• Five shared themes were identified: patient-doctor relationship, language, openness of communication, learning, and personal impact.
• All participants supported the continuation of patient involvement in M&MMs.

Conclusions:

• Patient and healthcare professional participants highly valued the inclusion of patients in M&MMs.
• Patient participation is feasible when healthcare professionals are open to discussing and learning from adverse events.
• Involving patients in M&MMs leads to enhanced understanding of AEs and a greater sense of being taken seriously.