Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences remain a core component of medical training and offer important opportunities for ongoing patient safety learning.

In this study, health systems in Washington and Texas implemented Equity M&M conferences to facilitate learning about the relationship between social and structural determinants of health (SSDH) and adverse patient outcomes. Cases were presented by residents, senior residents or faculty with training in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS). The presenter provided the standard medical narrative of the case and then, using root cause analysis (RCA), outlined the ways that SSDH impacted the patient’s care. After the presentation, the presenter asked M&M participants to brainstorm interventions to address the SSDH factors impacting care at the interpersonal, institutional, and societal levels. Example interventions include training to reduce microaggressions, after-hours clinic availability, and resource allocation.

Following the Equity M&M conferences, the vast majority of participants expressed comfort identifying the drivers of inequities, describing how SSDH contributes to patient harm and identifying areas for action or change towards increased equity.