As doctors, we review morbidity and mortality regularly – but we need a better way of respecting the patient voice | Ranjana Srivastava

In the 1930s , a group of surgeons, physicians and anaesthetists would meet to discuss cases and conclude with a vote if the death was preventable.

The format and aim of the morbidity and mortality meeting is still surprisingly unclear.

While deaths must be recorded, the meeting itself is not compulsory.

The most troubling absence at M&M meetings is the patient or family voice.

Ranjana Srivastava is an Australian oncologist, award-winning author and Fulbright scholar.

Her latest book is called A Better Death .

She says there are days when she dreads attending another M&M meeting.

But she knows it's important to go back because we owe it to our patients, past and future.