The Undergraduate Medical Education Section of the Group on Educational Affairs (GEA) developed this toolkit as a resource for health professions trainees as they learn to create and give effective presentations in the classroom, in the clinical setting, and at academic meetings and conferences. Resources and strategies for success developing and delivering formal lectures and presentations, poster and oral abstract presentations, patient presentations, and leading small group sessions are included.
Check out the complete toolkit.
The included recommendations and resources are helpful for anyone giving a presentation, not just trainees. Check out the strategies for designing and delivering an effective presentation and poster.
Formal Presentations and Lectures
- Define the objectives of the presentation: Describe what specific, measurable, or observable knowledge or skills the audience should acquire because of your presentation.
- Design an effective slide set: Avoid lengthy text, decorative fonts, clip art, graphs, and pictures as these may be distracting.
- Practice your performance: Know the lecture material but also the slides - without prompts!
- Create a positive learning environment: Anticipate questions and allocate sufficient time at the end of the presentation to answer them. Always repeat the questions being asked for the audience's benefit and to ensure your understanding. Some questions may be challenging; be prepared and answer honestly. It is acceptable not to know an answer.
- Demonstrate professionalism in presenting: Remain calm, collected, and open to feedback.
Posters and Abstracts
- Identify the purpose and key points: Tailor the information to meet the objectives with the audience in mind.
- Design an effective poster: Ensure that all text and every chart or image serves a clear purpose. Keep your poster uncluttered.
- Present in a conversational, informal style: The purpose and key points should start and guide the discussion, and everything should link back to your conclusions.
What resources have you found helpful as you're putting together a presentation or poster? Share them below!
I'm tagging my colleague @Whitney Staiger who is a phenomenal artist and graphic designer to share her favorite resources and recommendations for designing engaging slides and posters.
------------------------------
Toni Gallo
Director, Medical Education Digital Strategy and Engagement
Association of American Medical Colleges
------------------------------