Surgical Morbidity and Mortality Conference using Teleconferencing Allows for Increased Faculty Participation and Moderation from Satellite Campuses and Saves Costs

IntroductionSurgical faculty participation in Morbidity and Mortality Conference (MMC) satisfies criteria for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit. We hypothesize that using teleconferencing between the main campus to 2 satellite campuses will quantitatively increase faculty attendance and participation as a moderator at surgical MMC. We also want to perform a cost-benefit analysis of teleconferencing.MethodsIn this retrospective descriptive study, faculty attendance at MMC at the main campus and 2 satellite campuses was observed from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. Groups were compared with nonparametric statistics, using an α = 0.05. We performed an annual cost-benefit analysis of teleconferencing with consultation of an economist/financial advisor. The explicit and implicit costs of teleconferencing were compared with the opportunity cost-benefit of travel prevention.ResultsIn 2010, there were 45 MMC activities. A total of 236 Continuing Medical Education credit hours were reported, with 186 credit hours at the main campus and 68 credit hours at the satellite campuses. A Mann-Whitney U test showed an increase in the median total attendance (5 per conference) with the addition of the satellite campus attendance (2 per conference) (p < 0.001). There were no differences between the number of moderators at the main campus and the satellite campuses (p > 0.99). Cost benefits per faculty member was $96.70 per conference at 1 satellite campus and $193.60 per conference at the second satellite campus. A total of 73.1 hours of travel time was prevented, with a total annual net benefit of $7624.ConclusionsTeleconferencing allows for increased faculty attendance at MMC and allows for faculty to stay at their respective hospitals for patient care. Teleconferencing also results in significant cost savings. We recommend that institutions with similar resources consider teleconferencing as a way to increase faculty member attendance at surgical MMC and to save hospital costs.