An introductory talk to help new clinical students when presenting their patients on rounds

1. How to Present a Patient
“It’s good to talk”
Sabih Huq
Clinical Pharmacology/General Medicine

2. Professional Communication
‘engaging in an activity as a means of livelihood’
‘extremely competent in a job’
‘the imparting or exchange of information, ideas or
feelings’
• your job will depend on it

3. Outline
• be aware of the importance of professional
communication
• have a format for presentations
• understand the elements of a good presentation in
terms of content & process
• be aware of strategies for improvement

4. Who & Where?
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admissions
GPs
SHO/SpR
Consultant
post-take ward round
Cons./SpR
business ward rounds
“hand overs”
SHO/HO
diagnostics
radiology/biochem/haem
discharge
GPs

5. Why?
• SO THAT PEOPLE GET BETTER
• correct diagnosis = correct treatment
• more efficient & less pain!
• judgment on ability

6. How?
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EFFECTIVE & ECONOMICAL
clear, relevant information
easy to assimilate (logical)
economy = style

7. Structure
• How should a presentation be structured?
• pairs - 4 minutes

8. A Structure
1. The Headlines
• demographics, PC, circumstances
2. News in Detail
• HPC, relevant PMH, DH, FH, personal & social
history
• examination findings: general & specific
3. Main Stories Again
• diagnosis, aetiololgy, severity, treatment

9. Content
• different circumstances: why are you talking?
• different people do it in different ways
• clinical assessment: knowledge & experience
• history-taking is an advanced skill

10. Novice v. Expert strategies

11. Dating for Exams
• first impressions
• method of referral

12. Editing the News
• transmit information that:
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helps make the diagnosis
establishes severity
illuminates aetiology
other things relevant to management & outcome

13. Exercise
• analyse presentation:
CONTENT:
PROCESS:
• 3 minutes
good things
bad things
good things
bad things

14. Communication
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25% verbal therefore. . .
posture / hands
eye contact
pitch: singing Scots
volume
emphasis

15. Don’t be nervous
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know the room
know the audience
know the material
learn to relax
visualise yourself speaking
concentrate on message
gain experience

16. Room for Improvement
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ongoing process
practice on your own: mirror / scripts
video logbook
courses