Presentation Skills Toolkit for Medical Students

New section.

The ability to design and deliver an effective presentation is an important skill for all learners to develop. The Undergraduate Medical Education Section of the Group on Educational Affairs developed this toolkit as a resource for medical students and health professions trainees as you learn to create and give effective presentations in the classroom, in the clinical setting, and at academic meetings and conferences. In this toolkit, you’ll find helpful resources on developing and delivering formal lectures and presentations, poster and oral abstract presentations, patient presentations, and leading small group sessions.

Please note: Availability of resources may change over time. To suggest edits or updates, email  [email protected] .

On this page:

Formal lectures and presentations, posters and abstracts, patient presentations.

  • Leading Small Groups

Traditional academic presentations in medicine and the biomedical sciences are necessarily dense with complex content. Thus, slides tend to be wordy, and presenters may use their slides as cue cards for themselves rather than as tools to facilitate learning for their audience. With the necessary resources, medical students (and presenters at all levels) can better identify appropriate learning objectives and develop presentations that help learners meet those objectives. Organization of content, clarity of slide design, and professional delivery are all essential components to designing and giving effective formal presentations.

Achieving all of these elements can make creating and delivering a formal presentation challenging. The strategies and resources below can help you develop a successful formal presentation.

Infographic with steps for formal lectures and presentations

View long description of infographic .

Strategies for success

  • Define the objectives of the presentation. Always define learning objectives for each of your lectures to make it clear what knowledge or skills the audience should acquire from your presentation. The best learning objectives define specific, measurable, or observable knowledge or skill gains. Furthermore, consider how to communicate the importance of the topic to your audience and how information should be arranged to best communicate your key points.
  • Design an effective slide set. You should begin creating your slides only after defining your objectives and key points. The slides should support your talk but not be your talk. Keep slides simple. The audience should be able to review a slide and grasp key points quickly. Avoid lengthy text and distracting decorative fonts, clip art, graphs, and pictures. If additional wording or images are necessary, consider handouts or alternative methods of sharing this information. Lastly, design your slide deck to emphasize the key points, revisiting your outline as necessary, and summarize concepts at regular intervals throughout your presentation to strengthen knowledge gains.  
  • Practice your performance. Effective public speaking starts with preparation and practice. Ensure there is enough time to create your lecture and a supporting slide deck. Know your lecture material and slides without prompts! Understand the audience and learning climate (the size and knowledge level of your audience) and be prepared for the venue (virtual, in-person, or both, lecture hall or classroom). Think about what effective audience engagement may look like and how to incorporate audience response systems, polling, etc., into the lecture.
  • Create a positive learning environment. Anticipate questions and allocate sufficient time to answer them. Always repeat the questions being asked for the audience’s benefit and to ensure your understanding. Some questions may be challenging, so be prepared and answer honestly. It is acceptable not to know an answer.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in presenting. Exhibit professionalism by being punctual and having appropriate time management. Remember that mistakes happen; be kind to yourself and remain calm and collected. Be enthusiastic: If you can enjoy the experience, so will your audience. Finally, be open to feedback following your presentation. 

Additional resources

Below is a collection of resources that further address the elements of creating and delivering a formal presentation. Each resource addresses a specific presentation skill or set of skills listed above and can be used to develop your understanding further. 

  • Healthy Presentations: How to Craft Exceptional Lectures in Medicine, the Health Professions, and the Biomedical Sciences (requires purchase, book). This illustrated book is a practical guide for improving scientific presentations. It includes specific, practical guidance on crafting a talk, tips on incorporating interactive elements to facilitate active learning, and before-and-after examples of improved slide design. (Skills addressed: 1-3)
  • American College of Physicians: Giving the Podium Presentation (freely available, website). This guide includes recommendations related to presentation delivery, including tips on what to wear, how to prepare, answering questions, and anticipating the unexpected. (Skills addressed: 3-5)
  • The 4 Ps of Giving a Good Presentation (freely available, PDF). This simple guide on public speaking from the University of Hull covers such topics as positive thinking, preparing, practice, and performing. (Skills addressed: 3-5)
  • Zoom Guides (freely available, website). This website from the University of California, San Francisco is one of many great resources created by universities for presenting on a virtual platform, specifically Zoom. (Skills addressed: 3-5)
  • Writing Learning Objectives (freely available, PDF). This excellent resource from the AAMC defines Bloom’s Taxonomy and provides verbiage for creating learning objectives. (Skill addressed: 1)
  • Adult learning theories: Implications for learning and teaching in medical education: AMEE Guide No. 83 (freely available, article). This AMEE Guide explains and explores the more commonly used adult learning theories and how they can be used to enhance learning. It presents a model that combines many of the theories into a flow diagram that can be followed by those planning a presentation. (Skill addressed: 1)
  • Assertion-Evidence Approach (freely available, website). This approach to slide design incorporates clear messaging and the strategic combination of text and images. (Skill addressed: 2)
  • Multimedia Learning (requires purchase, book). This book outlines the learning theories that should guide all good slide design. It is an accessible resource that will help presenters of all levels create slide decks that best facilitate learning. (Skill addressed: 2)
  • Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences (CLIMB) (freely available, website). This website from Northwestern University shares slide design tips for scientific presentations. Specific tips include simplifying messages and annotating images and tables to facilitate learning. (Skill addressed: 2)
  • Clear and to the Point (freely available, online book). This book describes 8 psychological principles for constructing compelling PowerPoint presentations. (Skill addressed: 2)

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Presenting the results of the research projects, innovations, and other work you have invested in at regional and national meetings is a tremendous opportunity to advance heath care, gain exposure to thought leaders in your field, and put your evidence-based medicine and communication skills into practice in a different arena. Effective scientific presentations at meetings also provide a chance for you to interact with an engaged audience, receive valuable feedback, be exposed to others’ projects, and expand your professional network. Preparation and practice are integral to getting the most out of these experiences.  

The strategies and resources below will help you successfully present both posters and abstracts at scientific meetings. 

Infographic with steps for creating posters and abstracts

Strategies for success  

  • Identify a poster’s/abstract’s purpose and key points . Determine the purpose of sharing your work (feedback vs. sharing a new methodology vs. disseminating a novel finding) and tailor the information in your poster or abstract to meet that objective. Identify one to three key points. Keep in mind the knowledge and expertise of the intended audience; the amount of detail that you need to provide at a general vs. specialized meeting may vary. 
  • Design an effective poster . Design your poster to follow a logical flow and keep it uncluttered. The methods and data should support your conclusions without extraneous information; every chart or image should serve a purpose. Explicitly outline the key takeaways at the beginning or end.  
  • Present in a conversational, informal style . Imagine you are explaining your project to a colleague. The purpose of your work and key points should guide your presentation, and your explanation of the methods and data should link to your conclusions. Be prepared to discuss the limitations of your project, outline directions for future research, and receive feedback from your audience. Treat feedback as an opportunity to improve your project prior to producing a manuscript.  

Additional resources  

These resources support the development of the skills mentioned above, guiding you through the steps of developing a poster that frames your research in a clear and concise manner. The videos provide examples that can serve as models of effective poster and abstract presentations. 

  • How to design an outstanding poster (freely available, article). This article outlines key items for laying out an effective poster, structuring it with the audience in mind, practicing your presentation, and maximizing your work’s impact at meetings. (Skills addressed: 1-3) 
  • Giving an Effective Poster Presentation (freely available, video). This video shows medical students in action presenting their work and shares strategies for presenting your poster in a conversational style, preparing for questions, and engaging viewers. (Skills addressed: 2,3) 
  • Better Scientific Poster (freely available, toolkit). This toolkit includes strategies and templates for creating an effective and visually interesting scientific poster. Virtual and social media templates are also available. (Skill addressed: 2)

As with all presentations, it can be very helpful to practice with colleagues and/or mentors before the meeting. This will allow you to get feedback on your project, style, and poster design prior to sharing it with others outside of your institution. It can also help you prepare for the questions you may get from the audience.  

Patient presentation skills are valuable for medical students in the classroom and in the care of patients during clinical rotations. Patient presentations are an integral part of medical training because they combine communication skills with knowledge of disease manifestations and therapeutic strategies in a clinical scenario. They are used during active learning in both the preclinical and clinical phases of education and as students advance in training and interact with diverse patients.  

Below are strategies for delivering effective patient presentations. 

Infographic with tips for patient presentations

  • Structure the presentation appropriately . The structure of your narrative is important; a concise, logical presentation of the relevant information will create the most impact. In the clinical setting, preferences for presentation length and style can vary between specialties and attendings, so understanding expectations is vital. 
  • Synthesize information from the patient encounter . Synthesis of information is integral for effective and accurate delivery that highlights relevant points. Being able to select pertinent information and present it in an efficient manner takes organization and practice, but it is a skill that can be learned.  
  • Deliver an accurate, engaging, and fluent oral presentation . In delivering a patient presentation, time is of the essence. The overall format for the presentation is like a written note but usually more concise. Succinctly convey the most essential patient information in a way that tells the patient’s story. Engage your listeners by delivering your presentation in an organized, clear, and professional manner with good eye contact. Presentations will go more smoothly with careful crafting and practice. 
  • Adjust presentations to meet team, patient, and setting needs . Adaptability is often required in the clinical setting depending on attending preferences, patient needs, and location, making it imperative that you are mindful of your audience.  

The resources below provide samples of different types of patient presentations and practical guides for structuring and delivering them. They include tips and tricks for framing a case discussion to deliver a compelling story. Resources that help with adjusting patient presentations based on the setting, such as bedside and outpatient presentations, are also included. 

  • A Guide to Case Presentations (freely available, document). This practical guide from the Ohio State University discusses basic principles of presentations, differences between written and oral communication of patient information, organization, and common pitfalls to avoid. (Skills addressed: 1-3) 
  • Verbal Case Presentations: A Practical Guide for Medical Students (freely available, PDFs). This resource from the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership provides a practical guide to crafting effective case presentations with an explanation of the goals of each section and additional tips for framing the oral discussion. It also provides a full sample initial history and physical examination presentation. (Skills addressed: 1-4) 
  • Patient Presentations in Emergency Medicine (freely available, video). This training video for medical students from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine demonstrates how to tell a compelling story when presenting a patient’s case. The brief video offers handy dos and don'ts that will help medical students understand how best to communicate in the emergency department efficiently and effectively. These skills can also be applied to patient presentations in other specialties. (Skills addressed: 1-4) 

Additional information and support on effectively constructing and delivering a case presentation can be found through various affinity support and mentorship groups, such as the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians (BNGAP). 

Leading Small Groups

For physicians, working within and leading small groups is an everyday practice. Undergraduate medical education often includes small group communication as well, in the form of problem-based learning groups, journal clubs, and study groups. Having the skills to form, maintain, and help small groups thrive is an important tool for medical students.   

Below are strategies to provide effective small group leadership. 

Infographic with steps for leading small groups

  • Outline goals/outcomes . Delineating the goals of a meeting ensures that everyone understands the outcome of the gathering and can help keep conversations on track. Listing goals in the agenda will help all participants understand what is to be accomplished. 
  • Establish ground rules . Establishing explicit procedural and behavioral expectations serves to solidify the framework in which the conversation will take place. These include items such as attendance and how people are recognized as well as the way group members should treat each other.   
  • Create an inclusive environment . In addition to setting expectations, group leaders can take steps to help all participants feel that their perspectives are valuable. Setting up the room so that everyone sits around a table can facilitate conversations. Having individuals introduce themselves can let the group understand everyone’s background and expertise. In addition, running discussions in a “round-robin style” (when possible) may help every person have an opportunity to express themselves. 
  • Keep discussions constructive, positive, and on task . As meetings evolve, it can be easy for conversations to drift. Reminding the group of goals and frequently summarizing the discussion in the context of the planned outcomes can help redirect meetings when needed. 
  • Manage virtual meetings . Online meetings present their own challenges. Adequate preparation is key, particularly working through technological considerations in advance. Explicitly discussing goals and ground rules is even more important in the virtual environment. Group leaders should be more patient with members’ response times and be especially diligent that all participants have an opportunity to be heard.   

The resources listed below outline additional helpful points, expanding on the skills described above and providing additional perspectives on managing small group meetings of different types. 

  • Communication in the Real World: Small Group Communication (freely available, online module). This chapter includes an overview of managing small groups, including understanding the types and characteristics, group development, and interpersonal dynamics. (Skills addressed: 3,4) 
  • Conversational Leadership (freely available, online book chapter). This short online resource provides guidance for determining group size and seating to best facilitate participation by all group members. (Skill addressed: 4) 
  • Tips on Facilitating Effective Group Discussion (freely available, PDF). This resource from Brown University provides tips for effective group facilitation, creating an environment conducive for discussions, keeping conversations positive, and managing common problems. Also included is a valuable list of references for further exploration. (Skills addressed: 1-4) 
  • Facilitating Effective Discussions: Self-Checklist (freely available, online checklist). This checklist from Brown University provides an easy-to-use, practical framework for preparing for, performing, and reflecting on small group facilitation. (Skills addressed: 1-4) 
  • Sample Guidelines for Classroom Discussion Agreements (freely available, PDF). These guidelines from Brown University give useful tips for managing classroom discussions, including when disagreements occur among group participants. (Skill addressed: 2) 
  • Fostering and assessing equitable classroom participation (freely available, online article). This online resource from Brown University includes methods to maximize group members’ participation in discussions and to communicate expectations. Also included is a valuable list of references for further exploration. (Skill addressed: 3) 
  • Facilitating small group learning in the health professions (freely available, online article). The aim of this paper published in BMC Medical Education is to provide students involved in peer/near peer teaching with an overview of practical approaches and tips to improve learner engagement when facilitating small groups. It includes a discussion of the roles of facilitators, strategies for fostering interactions among the group, and methods for resolving common problems. (Skills addressed: 1-4) 
  • Facilitating a Virtual Meeting (freely available, PDF). This infographic from the University of Nebraska Medical Center includes key points to consider when facilitating an online meeting, including technical considerations, preparation, and follow-up. (Skill addressed: 5) 
  • Most universities have a communication department with faculty who specialize in small group communication. You may also find that these individuals are a valuable resource. 

This toolkit was created by a working group of the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Section of the Group on Educational Affairs (GEA). 

Working Group Members

  • Geoffrey Talmon, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Jason Kemnitz, EdD, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine 
  • Lisa Coplit, MD, Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University 
  • Rikki Ovitsh, MD, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
  • Susan Nofziger, MD, Northeast Ohio Medical University  
  • Amy Moore, MEd, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine 
  • Melissa Cellini, MD, New York Medical College 
  • Richard Haspel, MD, Harvard Medical School 
  • Christine Phillips, MD, Boston University School of Medicine 
  • Arvind Suresh, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth 
  • Emily Green, PhD, MA, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University 
  • Holly Meyer, PhD, MS, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 
  • Karina Clemmons, EdD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Shane Puckett, EdD, University of South Florida 
  • Angela Hairrell, PhD, Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University 
  • Arkene Levy Johnston, PhD, Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
  • Sarah Collins, PhD, UT Southwestern Medical Center 
  • Patrick Fadden, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 
  • Lia Bruner, MD, Augusta University - University of Georgia Medical Partnership 
  • Jasna Vuk, MD, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
  • Pearl Sutter, University of Connecticut School of Medicine 
  • Kelly Park, Baylor University Medical Center

Overview and General Information about Oral Presentation

  • Daily Presentations During Work Rounds
  • The New Patient Presentation
  • The Holdover Admission Presentation
  • Outpatient Clinic Presentations
  • The structure of presentations varies from service to service (e.g. medicine vs. surgery), amongst subspecialties, and between environments (inpatient vs. outpatient). Applying the correct style to the right setting requires that the presenter seek guidance from the listeners at the outset.
  • Time available for presenting is rather short, which makes the experience more stressful.
  • Individual supervisors (residents, faculty) often have their own (sometimes quirky) preferences regarding presentation styles, adding another layer of variability that the presenter has to manage.
  • Students are evaluated/judged on the way in which they present, with faculty using this as one way of gauging a student’s clinical knowledge.
  • Done well, presentations promote efficient, excellent care. Done poorly, they promote tedium, low morale, and inefficiency.

General Tips:

  • Practice, Practice, Practice! Do this on your own, with colleagues, and/or with anyone who will listen (and offer helpful commentary) before you actually present in front of other clinicians. Speaking "on-the-fly" is difficult, as rapidly organizing and delivering information in a clear and concise fashion is not a naturally occurring skill.
  • Immediately following your presentations, seek feedback from your listeners. Ask for specifics about what was done well and what could have been done better – always with an eye towards gaining information that you can apply to improve your performance the next time.
  • Listen to presentations that are done well – ask yourself, “Why was it good?” Then try to incorporate those elements into your own presentations.
  • Listen to presentations that go poorly – identify the specific things that made it ineffective and avoid those pitfalls when you present.
  • Effective presentations require that you have thought through the case beforehand and understand the rationale for your conclusions and plan. This, in turn, requires that you have a good grasp of physiology, pathology, clinical reasoning and decision-making - pushing you to read, pay attention, and in general acquire more knowledge.
  • Think about the clinical situation in which you are presenting so that you can provide a summary that is consistent with the expectations of your audience. Work rounds, for example, are clearly different from conferences and therefore mandate a different style of presentation.
  • Presentations are the way in which we tell medical stories to one another. When you present, ask yourself if you’ve described the story in an accurate way. Will the listener be able to “see” the patient the same way that you do? Can they come to the correct conclusions? If not, re-calibrate.
  • It's O.K. to use notes, though the oral presentation should not simply be reduced to reading the admission note – rather, it requires appropriate editing/shortening.
  • In general, try to give your presentations on a particular service using the same order and style for each patient, every day. Following a specific format makes it easier for the listener to follow, as they know what’s coming and when they can expect to hear particular information. Additionally, following a standardized approach makes it easier for you to stay organized, develop a rhythm, and lessens the chance that you’ll omit elements.

Specific types of presentations

There are a number of common presentation-types, each with its own goals and formats. These include:

  • Daily presentations during work rounds for patients known to a service.
  • Newly admitted patients, where you were the clinician that performed the H&P.
  • Newly admitted patients that were “handed off” to the team in the morning, such that the H&P was performed by others.
  • Outpatient clinic presentations, covering several common situations.

Key elements of each presentation type are described below. Examples of how these would be applied to most situations are provided in italics. The formats are typical of presentations done for internal medicine services and clinics.

Note that there is an acceptable range of how oral presentations can be delivered. Ultimately, your goal is to tell the correct story, in a reasonable amount of time, so that the right care can be delivered. Nuances in the order of presentation, what to include, what to omit, etc. are relatively small points. Don’t let the pursuit of these elements distract you or create undue anxiety.

Daily presentations during work rounds of patients that you’re following:

  • Organize the presenter (forces you to think things through)
  • Inform the listener(s) of 24 hour events and plan moving forward
  • Promote focused discussion amongst your listeners and supervisors
  • Opportunity to reassess plan, adjust as indicated
  • Demonstrate your knowledge and engagement in the care of the patient
  • Rapid (5 min) presentation of the key facts

Key features of presentation:

  • Opening one liner: Describe who the patient is, number of days in hospital, and their main clinical issue(s).
  • 24-hour events: Highlighting changes in clinical status, procedures, consults, etc.
  • Subjective sense from the patient about how they’re feeling, vital signs (ranges), and key physical exam findings (highlighting changes)
  • Relevant labs (highlighting changes) and imaging
  • Assessment and Plan : Presented by problem or organ systems(s), using as many or few as are relevant. Early on, it’s helpful to go through the main categories in your head as a way of making sure that you’re not missing any relevant areas. The broad organ system categories include (presented here head-to-toe): Neurological; Psychiatric; Cardiovascular; Pulmonary; Gastrointestinal; Renal/Genitourinary; Hematologic/Oncologic; Endocrine/Metabolic; Infectious; Tubes/lines/drains; Disposition.

Example of a daily presentation for a patient known to a team:

  • Opening one liner: This is Mr. Smith, a 65 year old man, Hospital Day #3, being treated for right leg cellulitis
  • MRI of the leg, negative for osteomyelitis
  • Evaluation by Orthopedics, who I&D’d a superficial abscess in the calf, draining a moderate amount of pus
  • Patient appears well, states leg is feeling better, less painful
  • T Max 101 yesterday, T Current 98; Pulse range 60-80; BP 140s-160s/70-80s; O2 sat 98% Room Air
  • Ins/Outs: 3L in (2 L NS, 1 L po)/Out 4L urine
  • Right lower extremity redness now limited to calf, well within inked lines – improved compared with yesterday; bandage removed from the I&D site, and base had small amount of purulence; No evidence of fluctuance or undrained infection.
  • Creatinine .8, down from 1.5 yesterday
  • WBC 8.7, down from 14
  • Blood cultures from admission still negative
  • Gram stain of pus from yesterday’s I&D: + PMNS and GPCs; Culture pending
  • MRI lower extremity as noted above – negative for osteomyelitis
  • Continue Vancomycin for today
  • Ortho to reassess I&D site, though looks good
  • Follow-up on cultures: if MRSA, will transition to PO Doxycycline; if MSSA, will use PO Dicloxacillin
  • Given AKI, will continue to hold ace-inhibitor; will likely wait until outpatient follow-up to restart
  • Add back amlodipine 5mg/d today
  • Hep lock IV as no need for more IVF
  • Continue to hold ace-I as above
  • Wound care teaching with RNs today – wife capable and willing to assist. She’ll be in this afternoon.
  • Set up follow-up with PMD to reassess wound and cellulitis within 1 week

The Brand New Patient (admitted by you)

  • Provide enough information so that the listeners can understand the presentation and generate an appropriate differential diagnosis.
  • Present a thoughtful assessment
  • Present diagnostic and therapeutic plans
  • Provide opportunities for senior listeners to intervene and offer input
  • Chief concern: Reason why patient presented to hospital (symptom/event and key past history in one sentence). It often includes a limited listing of their other medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, etc.) if these elements might contribute to the reason for admission.
  • The history is presented highlighting the relevant events in chronological order.
  • 7 days ago, the patient began to notice vague shortness of breath.
  • 5 days ago, the breathlessness worsened and they developed a cough productive of green sputum.
  • 3 days ago his short of breath worsened to the point where he was winded after walking up a flight of stairs, accompanied by a vague right sided chest pain that was more pronounced with inspiration.
  • Enough historical information has to be provided so that the listener can understand the reasons that lead to admission and be able to draw appropriate clinical conclusions.
  • Past history that helps to shed light on the current presentation are included towards the end of the HPI and not presented later as “PMH.” This is because knowing this “past” history is actually critical to understanding the current complaint. For example, past cardiac catheterization findings and/or interventions should be presented during the HPI for a patient presenting with chest pain.
  • Where relevant, the patient's baseline functional status is described, allowing the listener to understand the degree of impairment caused by the acute medical problem(s).
  • It should be explicitly stated if a patient is a poor historian, confused or simply unaware of all the details related to their illness. Historical information obtained from family, friends, etc. should be described as such.
  • Review of Systems (ROS): Pertinent positive and negative findings discovered during a review of systems are generally incorporated at the end of the HPI. The listener needs this information to help them put the story in appropriate perspective. Any positive responses to a more inclusive ROS that covers all of the other various organ systems are then noted. If the ROS is completely negative, it is generally acceptable to simply state, "ROS negative.”
  • Other Past Medical and Surgical History (PMH/PSH): Past history that relates to the issues that lead to admission are typically mentioned in the HPI and do not have to be repeated here. That said, selective redundancy (i.e. if it’s really important) is OK. Other PMH/PSH are presented here if relevant to the current issues and/or likely to affect the patient’s hospitalization in some way. Unrelated PMH and PSH can be omitted (e.g. if the patient had their gall bladder removed 10y ago and this has no bearing on the admission, then it would be appropriate to leave it out). If the listener really wants to know peripheral details, they can read the admission note, ask the patient themselves, or inquire at the end of the presentation.
  • Medications and Allergies: Typically all meds are described, as there’s high potential for adverse reactions or drug-drug interactions.
  • Family History: Emphasis is placed on the identification of illnesses within the family (particularly among first degree relatives) that are known to be genetically based and therefore potentially heritable by the patient. This would include: coronary artery disease, diabetes, certain cancers and autoimmune disorders, etc. If the family history is non-contributory, it’s fine to say so.
  • Social History, Habits, other → as relates to/informs the presentation or hospitalization. Includes education, work, exposures, hobbies, smoking, alcohol or other substance use/abuse.
  • Sexual history if it relates to the active problems.
  • Vital signs and relevant findings (or their absence) are provided. As your team develops trust in your ability to identify and report on key problems, it may become acceptable to say “Vital signs stable.”
  • Note: Some listeners expect students (and other junior clinicians) to describe what they find in every organ system and will not allow the presenter to say “normal.” The only way to know what to include or omit is to ask beforehand.
  • Key labs and imaging: Abnormal findings are highlighted as well as changes from baseline.
  • Summary, assessment & plan(s) Presented by problem or organ systems(s), using as many or few as are relevant. Early on, it’s helpful to go through the main categories in your head as a way of making sure that you’re not missing any relevant areas. The broad organ system categories include (presented here head-to-toe): Neurological; Psychiatric; Cardiovascular; Pulmonary; Gastrointestinal; Renal/Genitourinary; Hematologic/Oncologic; Endocrine/Metabolic; Infectious; Tubes/lines/drains; Disposition.
  • The assessment and plan typically concludes by mentioning appropriate prophylactic considerations (e.g. DVT prevention), code status and disposition.
  • Chief Concern: Mr. H is a 50 year old male with AIDS, on HAART, with preserved CD4 count and undetectable viral load, who presents for the evaluation of fever, chills and a cough over the past 7 days.
  • Until 1 week ago, he had been quite active, walking up to 2 miles a day without feeling short of breath.
  • Approximately 1 week ago, he began to feel dyspneic with moderate activity.
  • 3 days ago, he began to develop subjective fevers and chills along with a cough productive of red-green sputum.
  • 1 day ago, he was breathless after walking up a single flight of stairs and spent most of the last 24 hours in bed.
  • Diagnosed with HIV in 2000, done as a screening test when found to have gonococcal urethritis
  • Was not treated with HAART at that time due to concomitant alcohol abuse and non-adherence.
  • Diagnosed and treated for PJP pneumonia 2006
  • Diagnosed and treated for CMV retinitis 2007
  • Became sober in 2008, at which time interested in HAART. Started on Atripla, a combination pill containing: Efavirenz, Tonofovir, and Emtricitabine. He’s taken it ever since, with no adverse effects or issues with adherence. Receives care thru Dr. Smiley at the University HIV clinic.
  • CD4 count 3 months ago was 400 and viral load was undetectable.
  • He is a gay male, not currently sexually active. He has never used intravenous drugs.
  • He has no history of asthma, COPD or chronic cardiac or pulmonary condition. No known liver disease. Hepatitis B and C negative. His current problem seems different to him then his past episode of PJP.
  • Review of systems: negative for headache, photophobia, stiff neck, focal weakness, chest pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, urinary symptoms, leg swelling, or other complaints.
  • Hypertension x 5 years, no other known vascular disease
  • Gonorrhea as above
  • Alcohol abuse above and now sober – no known liver disease
  • No relevant surgeries
  • Atripla, 1 po qd
  • Omeprazole 20 mg, 1 PO, qd
  • Lisinopril 20mg, qd
  • Naprosyn 250 mg, 1-2, PO, BID PRN
  • No allergies
  • Both of the patient's parents are alive and well (his mother is 78 and father 80). He has 2 brothers, one 45 and the other 55, who are also healthy. There is no family history of heart disease or cancer.
  • Patient works as an accountant for a large firm in San Diego. He lives alone in an apartment in the city.
  • Smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day and has done so for 20 years.
  • No current alcohol use. Denies any drug use.
  • Sexual History as noted above; has sex exclusively with men, last partner 6 months ago.
  • Seated on a gurney in the ER, breathing through a face-mask oxygen delivery system. Breathing was labored and accessory muscles were in use. Able to speak in brief sentences, limited by shortness of breath
  • Vital signs: Temp 102 F, Pulse 90, BP 150/90, Respiratory Rate 26, O2 Sat (on 40% Face Mask) 95%
  • HEENT: No thrush, No adenopathy
  • Lungs: Crackles and Bronchial breath sounds noted at right base. E to A changes present. No wheezing or other abnormal sounds noted over any other area of the lung. Dullness to percussion was also appreciated at the right base.
  • Cardiac: JVP less than 5 cm; Rhythm was regular. Normal S1 and S2. No murmurs or extra heart sounds noted.
  • Abdomen and Genital exams: normal
  • Extremities: No clubbing, cyanosis or edema; distal pulses 2+ and equal bilaterally.
  • Skin: no eruptions noted.
  • Neurological exam: normal
  • WBC 18 thousand with 10% bands;
  • Normal Chem 7 and LFTs.
  • Room air blood gas: pH of 7.47/ PO2 of 55/PCO2 of 30.
  • Sputum gram stain remarkable for an abundance of polys along with gram positive diplococci.
  • CXR remarkable for dense right lower lobe infiltrate without effusion.
  • Monitored care unit, with vigilance for clinical deterioration.
  • Hypertension: given significant pneumonia and unclear clinical direction, will hold lisinopril. If BP > 180 and or if clear not developing sepsis, will consider restarting.
  • Low molecular weight heparin
  • Code Status: Wishes to be full code full care, including intubation and ICU stay if necessary. Has good quality of life and hopes to return to that functional level. Wishes to reconsider if situation ever becomes hopeless. Older brother Tom is surrogate decision maker if the patient can’t speak for himself. Tom lives in San Diego and we have his contact info. He is aware that patient is in the hospital and plans on visiting later today or tomorrow.
  • Expected duration of hospitalization unclear – will know more based on response to treatment over next 24 hours.

The holdover admission (presenting data that was generated by other physicians)

  • Handoff admissions are very common and present unique challenges
  • Understand the reasons why the patient was admitted
  • Review key history, exam, imaging and labs to assure that they support the working diagnostic and therapeutic plans
  • Does the data support the working diagnosis?
  • Do the planned tests and consults make sense?
  • What else should be considered (both diagnostically and therapeutically)?
  • This process requires that the accepting team thoughtfully review their colleagues efforts with a critical eye – which is not disrespectful but rather constitutes one of the main jobs of the accepting team and is a cornerstone of good care *Note: At some point during the day (likely not during rounds), the team will need to verify all of the data directly with the patient.
  • 8-10 minutes
  • Chief concern: Reason for admission (symptom and/or event)
  • Temporally presented bullets of events leading up to the admission
  • Review of systems
  • Relevant PMH/PSH – historical information that might affect the patient during their hospitalization.
  • Meds and Allergies
  • Family and Social History – focusing on information that helps to inform the current presentation.
  • Habits and exposures
  • Physical exam, imaging and labs that were obtained in the Emergency Department
  • Assessment and plan that were generated in the Emergency Department.
  • Overnight events (i.e. what happened in the Emergency Dept. and after the patient went to their hospital room)? Responses to treatments, changes in symptoms?
  • How does the patient feel this morning? Key exam findings this morning (if seen)? Morning labs (if available)?
  • Assessment and Plan , with attention as to whether there needs to be any changes in the working differential or treatment plan. The broad organ system categories include (presented here head-to-toe): Neurological; Psychiatric; Cardiovascular; Pulmonary; Gastrointestinal; Renal/Genitourinary; Hematologic/Oncologic; Endocrine/Metabolic; Infectious; Tubes/lines/drains; Disposition.
  • Chief concern: 70 yo male who presented with 10 days of progressive shoulder pain, followed by confusion. He was brought in by his daughter, who felt that her father was no longer able to safely take care for himself.
  • 10 days ago, Mr. X developed left shoulder pain, first noted a few days after lifting heavy boxes. He denies falls or direct injury to the shoulder.
  • 1 week ago, presented to outside hospital ER for evaluation of left shoulder pain. Records from there were notable for his being afebrile with stable vitals. Exam notable for focal pain anteriorly on palpation, but no obvious deformity. Right shoulder had normal range of motion. Left shoulder reported as diminished range of motion but not otherwise quantified. X-ray negative. Labs remarkable for wbc 8, creat 2.2 (stable). Impression was that the pain was of musculoskeletal origin. Patient was provided with Percocet and told to see PMD in f/u
  • Brought to our ER last night by his daughter. Pain in shoulder worse. Also noted to be confused and unable to care for self. Lives alone in the country, home in disarray, no food.
  • ROS: negative for falls, prior joint or musculoskeletal problems, fevers, chills, cough, sob, chest pain, head ache, abdominal pain, urinary or bowel symptoms, substance abuse
  • Hypertension
  • Coronary artery disease, s/p LAD stent for angina 3 y ago, no symptoms since. Normal EF by echo 2 y ago
  • Chronic kidney disease stage 3 with creatinine 1.8; felt to be secondary to atherosclerosis and hypertension
  • aspirin 81mg qd, atorvastatin 80mg po qd, amlodipine 10 po qd, Prozac 20
  • Allergies: none
  • Family and Social: lives alone in a rural area of the county, in contact with children every month or so. Retired several years ago from work as truck driver. Otherwise non-contributory.
  • Habits: denies alcohol or other drug use.
  • Temp 98 Pulse 110 BP 100/70
  • Drowsy though arousable; oriented to year but not day or date; knows he’s at a hospital for evaluation of shoulder pain, but doesn’t know the name of the hospital or city
  • CV: regular rate and rhythm; normal s1 and s2; no murmurs or extra heart sounds.
  • Left shoulder with generalized swelling, warmth and darker coloration compared with Right; generalized pain on palpation, very limited passive or active range of motion in all directions due to pain. Right shoulder appearance and exam normal.
  • CXR: normal
  • EKG: sr 100; nl intervals, no acute changes
  • WBC 13; hemoglobin 14
  • Na 134, k 4.6; creat 2.8 (1.8 baseline 4 m ago); bicarb 24
  • LFTs and UA normal
  • Vancomycin and Zosyn for now
  • Orthopedics to see asap to aspirate shoulder for definitive diagnosis
  • If aspiration is consistent with infection, will need to go to Operating Room for wash out.
  • Urine electrolytes
  • Follow-up on creatinine and obtain renal ultrasound if not improved
  • Renal dosing of meds
  • Strict Ins and Outs.
  • follow exam
  • obtain additional input from family to assure baseline is, in fact, normal
  • Since admission (6 hours) no change in shoulder pain
  • This morning, pleasant, easily distracted; knows he’s in the hospital, but not date or year
  • T Current 101F Pulse 100 BP 140/80
  • Ins and Outs: IVF Normal Saline 3L/Urine output 1.5 liters
  • L shoulder with obvious swelling and warmth compared with right; no skin breaks; pain limits any active or passive range of motion to less than 10 degrees in all directions
  • Labs this morning remarkable for WBC 10 (from 13), creatinine 2 (down from 2.8)
  • Continue with Vancomycin and Zosyn for now
  • I already paged Orthopedics this morning, who are en route for aspiration of shoulder, fluid for gram stain, cell count, culture
  • If aspirate consistent with infection, then likely to the OR
  • Continue IVF at 125/h, follow I/O
  • Repeat creatinine later today
  • Not on any nephrotoxins, meds renaly dosed
  • Continue antibiotics, evaluation for primary source as above
  • Discuss with family this morning to establish baseline; possible may have underlying dementia as well
  • SC Heparin for DVT prophylaxis
  • Code status: full code/full care.

Outpatient-based presentations

There are 4 main types of visits that commonly occur in an outpatient continuity clinic environment, each of which has its own presentation style and purpose. These include the following, each described in detail below.

  • The patient who is presenting for their first visit to a primary care clinic and is entirely new to the physician.
  • The patient who is returning to primary care for a scheduled follow-up visit.
  • The patient who is presenting with an acute problem to a primary care clinic
  • The specialty clinic evaluation (new or follow-up)

It’s worth noting that Primary care clinics (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Pediatrics) typically take responsibility for covering all of the patient’s issues, though the amount of energy focused on any one topic will depend on the time available, acuity, symptoms, and whether that issue is also followed by a specialty clinic.

The Brand New Primary Care Patient

Purpose of the presentation

  • Accurately review all of the patient’s history as well as any new concerns that they might have.
  • Identify health related problems that need additional evaluation and/or treatment
  • Provide an opportunity for senior listeners to intervene and offer input

Key features of the presentation

  • If this is truly their first visit, then one of the main reasons is typically to "establish care" with a new doctor.
  • It might well include continuation of therapies and/or evaluations started elsewhere.
  • If the patient has other specific goals (medications, referrals, etc.), then this should be stated as well. Note: There may well not be a "chief complaint."
  • For a new patient, this is an opportunity to highlight the main issues that might be troubling/bothering them.
  • This can include chronic disorders (e.g. diabetes, congestive heart failure, etc.) which cause ongoing symptoms (shortness of breath) and/or generate daily data (finger stick glucoses) that should be discussed.
  • Sometimes, there are no specific areas that the patient wishes to discuss up-front.
  • Review of systems (ROS): This is typically comprehensive, covering all organ systems. If the patient is known to have certain illnesses (e.g. diabetes), then the ROS should include the search for disorders with high prevalence (e.g. vascular disease). There should also be some consideration for including questions that are epidemiologically appropriate (e.g. based on age and sex).
  • Past Medical History (PMH): All known medical conditions (in particular those requiring ongoing treatment) are listed, noting their duration and time of onset. If a condition is followed by a specialist or co-managed with other clinicians, this should be noted as well. If a problem was described in detail during the “acute” history, it doesn’t have to be re-stated here.
  • Past Surgical History (PSH): All surgeries, along with the year when they were performed
  • Medications and allergies: All meds, including dosage, frequency and over-the-counter preparations. Allergies (and the type of reaction) should be described.
  • Social: Work, hobbies, exposures.
  • Sexual activity – may include type of activity, number and sex of partner(s), partner’s health.
  • Smoking, Alcohol, other drug use: including quantification of consumption, duration of use.
  • Family history: Focus on heritable illness amongst first degree relatives. May also include whether patient married, in a relationship, children (and their ages).
  • Physical Exam: Vital signs and relevant findings (or their absence).
  • Key labs and imaging if they’re available. Also when and where they were obtained.
  • Summary, assessment & plan(s) presented by organ system and/or problems. As many systems/problems as is necessary to cover all of the active issues that are relevant to that clinic. This typically concludes with a “health care maintenance” section, which covers age, sex and risk factor appropriate vaccinations and screening tests.

The Follow-up Visit to a Primary Care Clinic

  • Organize the presenter (forces you to think things through).
  • Accurately review any relevant interval health care events that might have occurred since the last visit.
  • Identification of new symptoms or health related issues that might need additional evaluation and/or treatment
  • If the patient has no concerns, then verification that health status is stable
  • Review of medications
  • Provide an opportunity for listeners to intervene and offer input
  • Reason for the visit: Follow-up for whatever the patient’s main issues are, as well as stating when the last visit occurred *Note: There may well not be a “chief complaint,” as patients followed in continuity at any clinic may simply be returning for a visit as directed by their doctor.
  • Events since the last visit: This might include emergency room visits, input from other clinicians/specialists, changes in medications, new symptoms, etc.
  • Review of Systems (ROS): Depth depends on patient’s risk factors and known illnesses. If the patient has diabetes, then a vascular ROS would be done. On the other hand, if the patient is young and healthy, the ROS could be rather cursory.
  • PMH, PSH, Social, Family, Habits are all OMITTED. This is because these facts are already known to the listener and actionable aspects have presumably been added to the problem list (presented at the end). That said, these elements can be restated if the patient has a new symptom or issue related to a historical problem has emerged.
  • MEDS : A good idea to review these at every visit.
  • Physical exam: Vital signs and pertinent findings (or absence there of) are mentioned.
  • Lab and Imaging: The reason why these were done should be mentioned and any key findings mentioned, highlighting changes from baseline.
  • Assessment and Plan: This is most clearly done by individually stating all of the conditions/problems that are being addressed (e.g. hypertension, hypothyroidism, depression, etc.) followed by their specific plan(s). If a new or acute issue was identified during the visit, the diagnostic and therapeutic plan for that concern should be described.

The Focused Visit to a Primary Care Clinic

  • Accurately review the historical events that lead the patient to make the appointment.
  • Identification of risk factors and/or other underlying medical conditions that might affect the diagnostic or therapeutic approach to the new symptom or concern.
  • Generate an appropriate assessment and plan
  • Allow the listener to comment

Key features of the presentation:

  • Reason for the visit
  • History of Present illness: Description of the sequence of symptoms and/or events that lead to the patient’s current condition.
  • Review of Systems: To an appropriate depth that will allow the listener to grasp the full range of diagnostic possibilities that relate to the presenting problem.
  • PMH and PSH: Stating only those elements that might relate to the presenting symptoms/issues.
  • PE: Vital signs and key findings (or lack thereof)
  • Labs and imaging (if done)
  • Assessment and Plan: This is usually very focused and relates directly to the main presenting symptom(s) or issues.

The Specialty Clinic Visit

Specialty clinic visits focus on the health care domains covered by those physicians. For example, Cardiology clinics are interested in cardiovascular disease related symptoms, events, labs, imaging and procedures. Orthopedics clinics will focus on musculoskeletal symptoms, events, imaging and procedures. Information that is unrelated to these disciples will typically be omitted. It’s always a good idea to ask the supervising physician for guidance as to what’s expected to be covered in a particular clinic environment.

  • Highlight the reason(s) for the visit
  • Review key data
  • Provide an opportunity for the listener(s) to comment
  • 5-7 minutes
  • If it’s a consult, state the main reason(s) that the patient was referred as well as who referred them.
  • If it’s a return visit, state the reasons why the patient is being followed in the clinic and when the last visit took place
  • If it’s for an acute issue, state up front what the issue is Note: There may well not be a “chief complaint,” as patients followed in continuity in any clinic may simply be returning for a return visit as directed
  • For a new patient, this highlights the main things that might be troubling/bothering the patient.
  • For a specialty clinic, the history presented typically relates to the symptoms and/or events that are pertinent to that area of care.
  • Review of systems , focusing on those elements relevant to that clinic. For a cardiology patient, this will highlight a vascular ROS.
  • PMH/PSH that helps to inform the current presentation (e.g. past cardiac catheterization findings/interventions for a patient with chest pain) and/or is otherwise felt to be relevant to that clinic environment.
  • Meds and allergies: Typically all meds are described, as there is always the potential for adverse drug interactions.
  • Social/Habits/other: as relates to/informs the presentation and/or is relevant to that clinic
  • Family history: Focus is on heritable illness amongst first degree relatives
  • Physical Exam: VS and relevant findings (or their absence)
  • Key labs, imaging: For a cardiology clinic patient, this would include echos, catheterizations, coronary interventions, etc.
  • Summary, assessment & plan(s) by organ system and/or problems. As many systems/problems as is necessary to cover all of the active issues that are relevant to that clinic.
  • Reason for visit: Patient is a 67 year old male presenting for first office visit after admission for STEMI. He was referred by Dr. Goins, his PMD.
  • The patient initially presented to the ER 4 weeks ago with acute CP that started 1 hour prior to his coming in. He was found to be in the midst of a STEMI with ST elevations across the precordial leads.
  • Taken urgently to cath, where 95% proximal LAD lesion was stented
  • EF preserved by Echo; Peak troponin 10
  • In-hospital labs were remarkable for normal cbc, chem; LDL 170, hdl 42, nl lfts
  • Uncomplicated hospital course, sent home after 3 days.
  • Since home, he states that he feels great.
  • Denies chest pain, sob, doe, pnd, edema, or other symptoms.
  • No symptoms of stroke or TIA.
  • No history of leg or calf pain with ambulation.
  • Prior to this admission, he had a history of hypertension which was treated with lisinopril
  • 40 pk yr smoking history, quit during hospitalization
  • No known prior CAD or vascular disease elsewhere. No known diabetes, no family history of vascular disease; He thinks his cholesterol was always “a little high” but doesn’t know the numbers and was never treated with meds.
  • History of depression, well treated with prozac
  • Discharge meds included: aspirin, metoprolol 50 bid, lisinopril 10, atorvastatin 80, Plavix; in addition he takes Prozac for depression
  • Taking all of them as directed.
  • Patient lives with his wife; they have 2 grown children who are no longer at home
  • Works as a computer programmer
  • Smoking as above
  • ETOH: 1 glass of wine w/dinner
  • No drug use
  • No known history of cardiovascular disease among 2 siblings or parents.
  • Well appearing; BP 130/80, Pulse 80 regular, 97% sat on Room Air, weight 175lbs, BMI 32
  • Lungs: clear to auscultation
  • CV: s1 s2 no s3 s4 murmur
  • No carotid bruits
  • ABD: no masses
  • Ext; no edema; distal pulses 2+
  • Cath from 4 weeks ago: R dominant; 95% proximal LAD; 40% Cx.
  • EF by TTE 1 day post PCI with mild Anterior Hypokinesis, EF 55%, no valvular disease, moderate LVH
  • Labs of note from the hospital following cath: hgb 14, plt 240; creat 1, k 4.2, lfts normal, glucose 100, LDL 170, HDL 42.
  • EKG today: SR at 78; nl intervals; nl axis; normal r wave progression, no q waves
  • Plan: aspirin 81 indefinitely, Plavix x 1y
  • Given nitroglycerine sublingual to have at home.
  • Reviewed symptoms that would indicate another MI and what to do if occurred
  • Plan: continue with current dosages of meds
  • Chem 7 today to check k, creatinine
  • Plan: Continue atorvastatin 80mg for life
  • Smoking cessation: Doing well since discharge without adjuvant treatments, aware of supports.
  • Plan: AAA screening ultrasound

Med School Insiders

How to Give an Excellent Medical Presentation

  • By Sulaiman Ahmad
  • July 22, 2019
  • Medical Student , Pre-med
  • Self-improvement

In medicine, we are constantly learning from each other. Professors stand in front of lecture halls to teach the fundamental knowledge needed to pass board exams and to treat our patients. Outside of the classroom, medical students, researchers, and physicians attend conferences to communicate ideas and update their colleagues with oral and poster presentations. In the clinic, students and resident physicians relay pertinent patient information to the physician in charge. Eventually, you will find yourself in front of an audience listening to your talk or an attending grading your clinical presentation. First, I will discuss what it takes to make an excellent presentation.  I will then finish this topic by providing guidelines for perfecting different types of presentations.

Critical Elements of an Excellent Presentation

 do some research.

Your audience will consider you an expert on the information you deliver. It is your job to achieve the expected level of comprehension of the topic. After choosing a topic, gather enough background information from diverse but appropriate sources (e.g., journals articles, relevant chapters in textbooks, personal discussion with subject matter experts, online videos).  Your research should provide you with a thorough understanding of the topic and a list of the important facts supporting your take-home message . Any gaps in your knowledge will become evident during your presentation. The goal is to develop confidence in your understanding of the topic and ability to share what you know.

Know Your Audience

Before putting your presentation together, take a moment to assess the baseline understanding of your expected audience . Ultimately your audience should walk away having learned something new. Try to figure out their collective interest, reasons for attending, and prior experience with the topic. Knowing your audience will allow you to focus on information that will keep them engaged and interested. For example, premed students have a different understanding of medical topics than medical students.  A presentation on the same subject should be different for both groups. If your listeners have different levels of expertise, take a moment to explain the fundamental concept, then build up the language and complexity to allow everyone to benefit from the information shared. Your audience is the reason why you are presenting.

Tell a Story

The human brain is wired to remember stories , especially if presented logically. A presentation is about the information shared, but it should also include the presenters’ passion, excitement, and personal style. All topics can be formatted to include characters, a description of the setting, plot, conflict, and a resolution. The story should allow the audience to take a journey with you. The hardest part is identifying the start and endpoint of your story and which details are needed. Make every word count by checking if it adds value to your narrative. Consider using metaphors, real examples, and descriptions that give life to your words .

Practicing your presentation is a vital step in developing an excellent presentation. You can memorize a script. However, memorization can reduce your connection with the audience. But in certain situations, scripts are quick and effective means of communicating important facts. Another approach is drafting bullet points of the main ideas and practicing the natural flow of information . This method allows your personality to shine on stage. To become comfortable speaking, start by practicing on your own . You can also record yourself with a cellphone or tablet and review the recording to evaluate your performance. Next, find a small group to present in front of and ask for their honest assessment . Eventually, your presentation will feel natural, and your stage presence will aid in communicating your main idea.

Q&A Session

Usually, your presentation does not end until after a question and answer session. Most presentations should include approximately five minutes in the end for the audience to ask questions . This part of the presentation allows you to clarify or further explain any part of your presentation. A question can also lead to expanding your presentation beyond what you originally planned to discuss . It is important for you to understand what is being asked and address the specific question directly. And if you do not have an answer, it is okay to admit that you do not know . Questions will force you to be creative and truly test your knowledge of the topic.

Different Types of Presentations

Presentations have many different forms, each with different goals; thus, each form requires a unique approach. In medicine, professors and clinician often provide students with lecture objectives and PowerPoint presentations that guide the students in their hour-long lecture. Conferences are a researcher’s platform to share their lab’s progress and conclusions. The last presentation I will go into is the clinical presentation a student typically performs for the physician in charge.

The main purpose of the lecture is to educate the attendees. We all have had great professors captivate our attention and other experiences that were a complete waste of time. But what makes some lectures better than others? The lecturer’s knowledge on the topic becomes obvious, and their stage presence confirms how comfortable they are with the topic.  If you are tasked with lecturing on a topic or a series, ensure that you have a solid understanding and address your learning objectives in the time allotted . The main concepts should be repeated multiple times throughout the lecture, followed by examples . Your PowerPoint slides should be limited to only main points and images that support your talking points. After difficult concepts are covered, ask questions to gauge your audience’s understanding . It is better to reemphasize a concept before building up to more complex learning objectives.

Research Presentation

Attending a conference is exciting, especially if you are representing your lab with an oral presentation.  It is an opportunity to share your research story, from the point of identifying a question to the process of reaching a conclusion. Realize your audience will include Primary Investigators, post-docs, and Ph.D. students that are also experts in the field . Attempt to grab the audience’s attention from the beginning by providing them with a reason to care. Then continue to explain how your study relates to the published work . After building up the background, address how you arrived at your research question. The most exciting part of your presentation should be explaining your conclusions and the path you took to get there. Finish up strong by discussing the implications of your findings and how they will have an impact in the field . The natural flow of information will come with practice and a deep understanding of your research topic. Presenting as a student usually leads to networking with professors and clinicians that can help you progress in your career.

Patient Presentation

Medical students learn how to take a patient’s history and perform a physical exam, but it is more challenging to reason through your clinical findings and subsequently present to an attending . Your clinical presentation style will change depending on the environment, medical department, and supervising physician . Upon joining a medical team, discuss the expectations and preference with each physician . It may be a good idea to draft a script that can get you started on organizing your patient presentation. The success of your presentation is correlated to your knowledge of the basic sciences and ability to critically assess the patient’s history and physical exam; the more you learn and read, the easier decision making and producing a plan becomes. Another important element is practicing your presentation style until it comes out naturally . Take the time to listen to your peers and experienced colleagues; learn from their mistakes and strengths . After concluding your presentation, ask for feedback and practice implementing the suggestions. You will be the eyes and ears for the physicians in charge, perfecting your patient presentation will help get the care the patients need while making everyone’s job a little easier.

Final remarks

There are some basic steps to achieving an excellent presentation: know the topic well, understand who you’re presenting to, develop a memorable story, and practice until it comes out naturally. A career in medicine is very versatile; you can be at the forefront of the next generation of physicians sharing your experiences or updating the science community with your research conclusions. At the minimum, you will be presenting the patient in the clinic. Thus, presenting is a skill every physician must master.

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Sulaiman Ahmad

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Presentations at Medical School: Top Tips

While most of medical school assessment consists of exam after exam, there are other ways to check what you know and encourage you to do research. One of these is doing presentations. This can be a pretty intimidating thought, especially if you aren’t used to presenting or don’t like speaking in front of groups of people. However, just because it might not be your thing doesn’t mean you can’t do a great job. I hope that some of the tips below will help you, so you can make the most of any presentations you deliver at medical school. 

1. Talk about something you’re interested in

Sometimes you are assigned a topic to present, but if you aren’t, choose something you will enjoy researching. If you care about your subject, your enthusiasm will look great and will be obvious to your tutor.  If you are assigned a topic and it’s something you really are not interested in, there’s no harm in asking your tutor if you can swap – the worst they can say is no.

2. Dress to impress

This doesn’t mean don a tuxedo or a sparkly cocktail dress, but wear something that you feel confident in and looks professional – this means a shirt/blouse and trousers/skirt, depending on what you feel most comfortable in.

3. Have water on standby

This is a must in my opinion. No matter how long the presentation is, it is so important to have access to some water to drink within reaching distance. You may never take a sip but it can be a useful way to gather your thoughts if you feel you’re struggling.

4. Present in front of your friends

Nerves are the worst part of public speaking or presenting – and what better way to get over them than to present in front of the people who will make fun of you? Joking aside, your friends can be a great stand-in audience. It gives you the opportunity to practice what you are going to say in front of people who aren’t marking you but will be able to give constructive feedback.

The key to getting over the nerves is being confident in what you have to say and practising in front of people really helps. Make sure you return the favour when it’s their turn to present too!

5. Plant your questions

This one isn’t always possible but when it is – do it! If you are presenting in front of other students you could get someone you know to ask you a question which you can give a great answer to, but don’t make it too obvious. If, for example, you run out of time and thereby don’t talk about a specific drug but someone asks you on it anyway it might arouse suspicion, so be clever about it!

Words: Ruari McGowan

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Effective Presentations: Optimize the Learning Experience With Evidence-Based Multimedia Principles [Incl. Seminar]

Effective presentation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is an effective presentation.

Professional education requires presentations, from a small discussion or a short video to speaking to a lecture hall with an audience of hundreds.  In fact, presentations are at the core of the educational process. With the effort to view all our educational efforts through an evidence-based lens, the construction of an effective presentation needs to undergo the same scrutiny. Whether a presenter intends to share plans, teach educational information, give updates on project progress, or convey the results of research, the extent to which the audience understands and remembers the presentation relies not only on the quality of the content but also the manner in which that content is presented. While the medium of the presentation may range from written content to graphics, videos, live presentations, or any combination of these and more, each of these mediums can be enhanced and made more effective by the use of evidence-based practices for presenting. Regardless of the medium, effective presentations have the same key features: they are appealing, engaging, informative, and concise. Effective presentations gain attention and captivate the audience, but most importantly, they convey information and ideas memorably.

With the integration of technology and online learning, educators have more opportunities than ever to present rich content that enhances and supports student learning. However, these opportunities can be intimidating to educators striving to engage students, as it can be daunting to create visually appealing and informative materials. Additionally, many educators feel pressured by the continued myth of learning styles: the widespread misconception that learning materials should match students’ visual, auditory, or kinesthetic “styles” to optimize learning (1). Despite being featured in many articles and discussions, there is no compelling evidence that matching educational content to learner’s style preferences increases educational outcomes. However, using multiple modes of delivery such as visuals, audio, and active learning has been shown to benefit all learners. In other words, no matter their stated preference, all learners benefit from a variety of media. Using evidence-based principles for multimedia content such as the principles found in Richard Mayer’s multimedia learning as well as the principles of graphic design and universal design supports learning and increases educational outcomes.

Why effective presentations work

What makes a presentation effective? Is an appealing and engaging presentation also an effective one? Research from cognitive science provides a foundation for understanding how verbal and pictorial information are processed by the learner’s mind during a presentation.

Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning

Based in cognitive science research, Mayer’s evidence-based approach to multimedia and cognition has greatly influenced both instructional design and the learning sciences. Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning comprises three learning principles: the dual channel principle, the limited capacity principle, and the active processing principle. Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning lays the theoretical foundation that underlies the practical applications to boost cognitive processes (2).

The dual channel principle proposes that learners process verbal and pictorial information via two separate channels (see figure below). Within each channel, learners can process limited amounts of information simultaneously due to limits in working memory, a phenomenon known as the limited capacity principle . In addition to these principles describing learning via the verbal and pictorial channels, the active processing principle proposes deeper learning occurs when learners are actively engaged in cognitive processing, such as attending to relevant information, creating mental schema to organize the material cognitively, and then relating to prior knowledge (3). These three principles work in tandem to describe the learning process that occurs when an audience of learners experiences a multimedia presentation.

Cognitive Load Theory, Adapted from Mayer (3) . Depicting how verbal and visual information is processed in dual channels through sensory, working, and long-term memory to create meaningful learning.

Mayers cognitive load theory

As learners listen to a lecture or watch a video, words and images are detected in the sensory memory and held for a very brief period of time. As the learners attend to relevant information, they are selecting words and images , which allows the selected information to move into the working memory where it may be held for a short period of time. However, working memory is limited to about 30 seconds and can only hold a few bits of information at a time. Organizing the words and images creates a coherent cognitive representation (schema) of these bits of information in the working memory. After the words and images are selected and then organized into schema, integrating these bits of information with prior knowledge from long term memory creates meaningful learning.

Cognitive Capacity . Three types of processing combine to determine cognitive capacity. To improve essential processing and generative processing, extraneous processing should be limited as much as possible .

Cognitive capacity

No matter how important the content may be, the capacity of learners to retain ideas from a single presentation is limited. The amount of information a learner can process as they select, organize, and integrate the ideas in a presentation relates to the cognitive load, which includes Essential, Extraneous, and Generative cognitive processing. Essential cognitive processing is required for the learner to create a cognitive representation of necessary and relevant information. This is the desired part of processing but should be managed to not overload the cognitive process. Extraneous processing refers to cognitive processing that does not contribute to learning and is often caused by poor design. Extraneous processing should be eliminated whenever possible to free up cognitive resources. Generative cognitive processing gives meaning to the material and creates deep learning. Learners must be motivated to engage and understand the information for this type of processing to occur.

Foundations in neuroscience

What we know about cognition and learning has been supported and informed by research in neuroscience (4). Neuroscience advances have also allowed us to gain deeper understanding into cognitive science principles, including those on multimedia learning. Researchers have been increasingly tracking learner eye movements to study learners’ attention and interest as a method of validating the impact of multimedia principles, and the results have supported the benefits of proper multimedia design on learner performance (5). Another avenue of research with great potential includes functional MRI (fMRI) readings or electroencephalography (EEG) (6). It has long been established that verbal and pictorial data is processed in different parts of the brain. More recently however, by examining changes in blood flow in different regions of the brain, researchers in Sweden were able to demonstrate that increased extraneous load could impact the effectiveness of learning, in line with the dual channel principle (7).

Evidence for effective presentations

Mayer’s multimedia principles.

Mayer’s Multimedia Principles.

Mayers multimedia learning principles

Mayer’s multimedia principles are a set of evidence-based guidelines for producing multimedia based on facilitating essential processing, reducing extraneous processing, and promoting generative processing (8). Mayer’s list of principles often includes fifteen principles, some of which have changed over time, and in a study conducted with medical students, the following nine principles were found to be particularly effective (3). The first three of these principles are used to reduce extraneous processing.

Principles for reducing extraneous processing:

  • Coherence principle: eliminate extraneous material 
  • Signaling principle: highlight essential material 
  • Spatial contiguity principle: place printed words near corresponding graphics

To illustrate these principles, we will use a lesson about the kidneys. The instructor wants to make diagrams of the anatomy to use during discussion. The coherence principle says to only include the information necessary to the lesson. Graphics such as clip art, information that does not relate to anatomy, or unnecessary music reduces cognitive capacity. The signaling principle says to highlight essential material; this might include putting important content in bold or larger font. Or, if the kidney is shown in situ , the rest of the anatomy may be shown in grayscale or a much lighter color to de-emphasize it. The spatial contiguity principle says to place printed words, such as the labels, near the graphics.

Reduce extraneous processing .  Do : keep labels next to diagrams, use only essential material, highlight essential material such as titles.  Don’t: separate labels from diagrams, include extra facts, or have excessive text on a slide, especially with no indication of what is most important.

Reducing extraneous processing

Principles for managing essential processing:

  • Pre-training principle: provide pre-training in names and characteristics of key concepts
  • Segmenting principle: break lessons into learner-controlled segments 
  • Modality principle: present words in spoken form

The next three principles are used to manage essential processing. If the kidney lesson moves into diseased states or diagnostics, the pre-training principle says that learners should be given information on any unfamiliar terminology before the lesson begins. To satisfy the segmenting principle , the learner should be able to control each piece of the lesson. For example, a “next” button may allow them to progress from pre-training to anatomy to diseased states and then diagnostics. The modality principle says that words should be spoken when possible. Voice-over can be used and text can be limited to essential material such as key definitions or lists.

Manage essential processing.   Do: Present terms and key concepts first, break lessons into user-controlled segments, and present words in spoken form.  Don’t: Give long blocks of text for students to read without priming students for key concepts.

Manage essential processing

Principles for fostering generative processing: 

  • Multimedia principle: present words and pictures rather than words alone 
  • Personalization principle: present words in conversational or polite style 
  • Voice principle: use a human voice rather than a machine voice

Mayer’s work also includes principles to increase generative processing. The multimedia principle is a direct result of the dual channel principle and limited capacity principle. Words and pictures together stimulate both channels and allow the memory to process more information than words alone. To adhere to the personalization principle to promote deeper learning, a case study is better presented as a story than a page of diagnostics and patient demographics. Finally, the voice principle says that a human voice is more desirable, so it is better to use the instructor’s voice when doing voice-overs rather than auto-generated readers.

Foster generative processing. Do: Present words and pictures, present words in conversational style, and use a human voice.  Don’t: Present text only, present words as a list of facts or overly technical language, or use a computer-generated voice.

Foster generative processing

Additional multimedia principles: 

  • Temporal contiguity principle: present words and pictures simultaneously rather than successively
  • Redundancy principle: for a fast paced lesson, people learn better from graphics and narration rather than graphics, narration, and text 
  • Image principle: people do not learn better if a static image of the instructor is added to the presentation

Additional principles include the temporal contiguity principle , which states that words and pictures should be shown simultaneously rather than successively. This also includes narration and images or animation. For example, if an animation demonstrates normal cell division, the narration should be given during the animation, not after. The redundancy principle states that people do not necessarily learn better if text is added to graphics and narration. The duplication of information creates extraneous processing as learners try to process print and spoken text. The image principle states that learners do not learn better if a static image of the instructor is added to a presentation. For example, if students are watching an animation with normal cell division, they do not learn better if an image of their instructor is placed next to the animation.

Additional principles for fostering generative processing: 

  • Embodiment principle: onscreen instructors should display high embodiment not low
  • Immersion principle: 3D virtual reality is not necessarily better than 2D presentations 
  • Generative activity principle: use generative learning activities during learning

In the newest edition of Mayer’s Multimedia Learning (8), three additional principles have been added. The embodiment principle states that onscreen instructors should display high embodiment rather than low embodiment, meaning they should use natural gestures, look at the camera as if making eye contact, and if drawing, show the image being drawn. If demonstrating something like a surgical procedure, a first-person perspective should be used so the learner sees the perspective of the person performing. Low embodiment would include standing still, lack of eye contact, and using a third-person perspective. The immersion principle states that 3D immersive virtual reality is not necessarily more effective than 2D presentations, such as on a computer screen. This is thought to be caused by the cognitive load on the learning involved in using 3D immersive technology but more studies are needed. Lastly, the generative activity principle states that learners should use generative learning activities while learning such as summarizing, mapping, drawing, imagining, self-testing, self-explaining, teaching, and enacting. These activities help learners cognitively select and organize new material and then integrate with prior knowledge.

Other Design Principles

Mayer’s design principles are functional but do not address aesthetics per se . Anyone can master the basic graphic design principles as discussed by Reynolds (9) to captivate and engage an audience. 

  • Create graphics that are designed for the back of the room. Whatever the venue, the person in the back needs to be able to see and gather information from the graphics. Ensure font size is appropriate, image size and clarity is sufficient, and that font type and spacing allow words to be seen clearly from a distance. For online materials, this principle may mean designing for the person who will be viewing on the smallest screen (such as a phone) rather than assuming viewers will use a large monitor (10).
  • Limit the types of fonts. Too many fonts or fonts that don’t coordinate well can make graphics seem jarring and unpleasant. Some programs will suggest font families that are appealing, and a safe guideline is to limit to two or three fonts maximum per graphic. 
  • Use contrasting colors. Colors that are too similar or using type on top of images that lack contrast can make type difficult to read. Color family suggestions can be found online or in software such as Powerpoint.

Graphic design principles.  Do: Use coordinating fonts and color schemes with contrasting colors.  Don’t: use multiple fonts, excessive colors, and/or non-contrasting colors that may be difficult to distinguish.

Graphic design principle

In addition to singular graphics or presentations, online course presentation makes a difference in how learners perceive and utilize a course. When designing online learning experiences, consider using guidelines such as Quality Matters to assess the functionality. Quality Matters rubrics look at key components that have been proven to facilitate learning by making navigation and presentation of course elements explicit. Key components include providing information on how to get started, including learning objectives, allowing learners to track their progress, and using learning activities and technology tools that support active learning. Navigation among course components should facilitate access to materials.

In addition to all of these principles, accessibility must be considered in all forms of presentation. In education, designing for accessibility can be guided by universal design principles . Some schools may even require all courses and materials to be fully accessible. Providing accessible options has been shown to benefit all learners, not just those with a documented need for accommodations (11). Some basic accommodations that should be offered in any class include offering media in multiple modes. For example, videos should have the option of captioning and/or access to a transcript, and photos and graphics should have captions that describe the image. Many learning management systems and software programs now have options to check for accessibility. Additionally, most schools can provide assistance in assessing and developing accessible materials.

Practical Applications for Presentations in Health Professions Education

Implementation in the classroom.

When planning how to present materials in the classroom, first consider the most effective form of presentation for the given information. It may be a Powerpoint, a video, a graphic, or a handout. Consider using a variety of media appropriate for the intended outcomes. Creating high quality materials may seem daunting, but quality content can be reused, shared, and has been shown to enhance student learning.

Powerpoint has been much maligned for overuse and abuse, but well-designed presentations can be remarkably effective (12). When designing in Powerpoint, limit the amount of text per slide. One rule to remember is the 5/5/5 rule: Use no more than 5 lines of text with 5 words each or 5 text-heavy slides in a row and try to avoid bullets (13). Graphics are preferable to text or tables when representing data, but graphs and labels should be kept as simple as possible using 2D graphics and simplified labels that are easy for viewers to see (14). When presenting, refrain from reading from the slides. Slides should highlight important concepts and provide visual aids, not present everything. In addition, keep Powerpoint and video presentations short; most listeners will lose attention in 6–10 minutes (15,16). Whenever possible, engage the audience by interspersing active learning elements. Between sections or topics, transition slides can be used to indicate pauses for activity or reflection or to cue students to changes in topic (14).

When planning a presentation, consider presenting some of the information online before class for students to review. This flipped classroom technique allows for more class to be spent using active learning and facilitates the presentation of multiple forms of media and accessible options. 

Implementation online

Videos often become an integral part of the online learning experience. To facilitate learning, consider the following tips for your own video production (17,18): 

  • Align the video with learning objectives and course outcomes. Focus on pertinent instructional points to reduce extraneous processing and thereby reduce cognitive load. 
  • Limit the length of videos and use interactive elements to promote active learning. To help maintain student engagement and deepen learning, include interactive elements such as discussions, quizzes or embedded questions to maintain student attention. 
  • Limit extraneous information, graphics, and sounds that do not pertain to the learning goals (19). Busy backgrounds, music, or animations that don’t contribute to understanding concepts unnecessarily add to a learner’s cognitive load.
  • When using existing videos, ensure the source is reliable and the video is high quality. Video production can take time, so using professional videos can be beneficial if they come from credible sources that target the learning objectives with up-to-date and accurate information.

Additionally, Schooley et al. (18) have proposed a 25-item quality checklist that can help educators create and curate high-quality videos. Many of the items in the checklist have been discussed here such as length, captioning, using relevant graphics, and self-assessment opportunities, but also included are other points an educator should consider, such as the offering learners the ability to download files and adjust playback speed as well as providing them with recommendations for further reading.

For a course in any modality, creating and curating content online can save time and facilitate student learning. As you consider what material to create and use for your courses, assess existing material using the guidelines above to determine if it could be made more beneficial to learners. Does it follow Mayer’s principles? Does it follow graphic design principles and universal design principles? Consider using a Quality Matters rubric to check the course design for best practices.

Recommendations

Educator’s perspective.

  • Use Mayer’s multimedia design principles to revise existing presentations and review new creations for simple changes that can make a big difference (12).
  • When delivering a presentation, start by discussing an unusual case, presenting an interesting story or an unexpected statistic, or explain how the topic impacts the listeners. This personalization will help gain their attention from the start (13).
  • When designing your own materials and graphics, “less is more” is often a good guideline: limit the amount of information on slides, limit the types of fonts, and limit the excessive use of colors (9,12).
  • Videos should be limited to 5–6 minutes when possible and avoid exceeding 10 minutes. Break up longer videos and intersperse interactive elements to keep students engaged (15–17).
  • When using technology and online delivery, universal design and accessibility considerations can be complicated. See if your school has an expert that can review your materials to ensure all students will benefit.

Student perspective

  • When creating presentations, reports, and charts, follow Mayer’s multimedia design principles to ensure your audience gets the most from your presentation.
  • Avoid copy/pasting but rather try and present concepts in an original way in order to augment your understanding of the material.
  • When looking at materials online, look for options such as captioning, transcripts, or audio buttons for accessing additional media output.
  • If a presentation is lengthy, pause and insert your own activities to help yourself stay focused. Taking notes, pausing for reflection, and self-quizzing can help deepen your learning and keep your mind from wandering.
  • If a variety of media aren’t offered, consider finding your own to supplement your learning. Credible sources with learning objectives that align with your course can augment your learning experience.

(Please select all that apply) 

1. When creating a graphic about the current status of heart disease in the US, which of the following would align with best practices?

a. Gaining the audience’s attention with a picture of your dog.

b. Using 3 colors that coordinate well on a contrasting background.

c. A 2D graph with simple labels rather than a table of data.

d. An image on the left with labels listed separately on the right.

e. An image next to a paragraph of text that you will read for the audience.

2. Which of the following are true about educational videos?

a. They need to be created by professionals to be high-quality.

b. They should be less than 10 minutes.

c. There should be an option for closed captioning or a written transcript.

d. Longer videos may be used but should be broken up with active learning elements.

e. Videos don’t need to align to objectives as long as they’re well-made.

3. Which of the following would be examples of Mayer’s multimedia principles?

a. Using a human voice rather than a machine voice.

b. Using formal language instead of conversational language.

c. Playing soothing music in the background of a video.

d. Providing new words and definitions before the presentation begins.

e. Putting important words in bold for emphasis.

4. Which of these would follow best practices for online content?

a. Creating a module where all the material is on one page for easy access.

b. Adding buttons for next, back, and table of contents options for students to navigate.

c. Breaking material into 7-minute videos with practice questions between them.

d. Adding fun clip art and cool images to the pages even if it doesn’t directly relate to the content.

e. Having text only because images are distracting.

Answers: (1) b,c. (2) b,c,d. (3) a,d,e. (4) b,c.

Online Seminar

This online seminar and its accompanying article will focus on the topic of Effective Presentations, which have a set of key qualities: they are appealing, engaging, informative, and concise. Effective presentations gain attention and captivate the audience, but most importantly, they convey information and ideas memorably and efficiently. Using evidence-based principles in educational multimedia can ensure the development of high-quality learning experiences. Our host, Dr. Peter Horneffer will be sharing with us some key multimedia concepts that can help facilitate the development and implementation of effective multimedia into the educational process.

Watch the seminar recording:

Would you like to learn more? Explore the Pulse Seminar Library.

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Meredith Ratliff

Meredith Ratliff is a doctoral student in Instructional Design and Technology at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include evidence-based medical education, branching scenarios, and faculty development. She has received her B.S. and M.A.T. in Mathematics at the University of Florida and her MA in Instructional Design and Technology from UCF. She has been an Associate Faculty member in the mathematics department at Valencia College in Kissimmee, Florida for the past nine years. As part of the Learning Science team at Lecturio, she serves as an educational consultant helping to design and develop materials for medical educators.

Satria

Satria Nur Sya’ban is a doctor from Indonesia who graduated from Universitas Airlangga. While a student, he served as the president of CIMSA, a national medical student NGO, working on a diverse range of issues that included medical education and curriculum advocacy by medical students. Before graduating, he took two gap years to serve as a Regional Director, and subsequently as Vice-President, of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)*, working on and developing various initiatives to better empower medical student organizations to make a change at the national level. At Lecturio, he serves as a Medical Education Consultant, supporting Lecturio in developing and maintaining partnerships with student organizations and universities in Asia, as well as providing counsel on how Lecturio can fit in existing teaching models and benefit students’ learning experience.

*IFMSA has been one of the leading global health organizations worldwide since 1951, representing over 1.3 million medical students as members spanning over 123 countries.

medical school presentation topics

Adonis is a doctor from Lebanon who graduated from the University of Balamand. He was a research fellow at the Department of Emergency Medicine at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and has worked with the World Health Organization Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean. During his studies, Adonis served as the president of the Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC), a national medical student organization in Lebanon, and moved on to serve as the Regional Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the IFMSA*. Among his roles as Regional Director, he focused on medical education advocacy, oversaw collaborations with external partners, and undertook several medical education projects and initiatives around the region. As a Medical Education Consultant at Lecturio, he advises the Lecturio team on how the platform can fit in existing teaching models and benefit students’ learning experience, develops and maintains partnerships with student organizations and universities in the MENA region, and conducts research on learning science and evidence-based strategies.

medical school presentation topics

Sarah Haidar is an educator and educational specialist from Lebanon who has graduated with a BA in English Linguistics and a Secondary Teaching Diploma (T.D.) from  Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon. She has received her M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)  from the Lebanese International University. She has been teaching ESL classrooms at the Deutsche Internationale Schule for four years. As part of the administrative team at the All American Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS), she is working on the design and implementation of a set of academic and administrative reforms that can help both faculty and students in their professional and academic endeavors. She has joined Lecturio to support the Learning Science team in the writing and communication based tasks that might be needed to announce and market their services and events that are targeted at medical educators. She is also supporting the Learning Science team with her perspective on educational and pedagogical topics that will inform the general audience of educators.

medical school presentation topics

Sara Keeth is a Ph.D. and certified PMP (Project Management Professional) who graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas. As an educator, she has worked as a Teaching Fellow at  the University of Texas at Dallas, as a full-time professor at Richland College (now Dallas College’s Richland Campus), and has also taught at Austin College. Dr. Keeth has also worked as a consultant for Parker University’s Research Center and has a decade of experience as an operations manager for an advertising agency. As Senior Learning Science and Research Project Manager at Lecturio, she manages the Learning Science department’s activities, shares her education expertise and best practices for medical educators, and develops evidence-based content for both students and faculty.

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How To Present Patients in Medical School c

How to Skillfully Present Patients in Medical School

Get 100+ free tips i wish i got on my first day of med school.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may get a commission if you make a purchase through my link at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

How do you present patients in medical school? Presenting in front of attendings often makes medical students tense up. It’s very uncomfortable to attempt to sound competent, concise, and thoughtful to a likely evaluator.

But what if I told you that the whole process could be stress-free and easy?

In this post, I’ll break down, step-by-step, exactly how to present patients in medical school to your attendings/residents. This will include the dos and the do not’s of presenting!

If you prefer a video format, check out the following video and more on my YouTube channel!

Tell a Story When Presenting Your Patient:

This is how I learned to present, and I believe it’s the best way to present patients.

Tell a story.

You know how easily we mentally check out during a boring lecture. They often just read off their slides. It becomes a bullet point presentation – just fact after fact.

Medical students are often the boring lecturer when they present. We become so worried about telling all the facts. But we suck at tying it all together.

Think about it; we don’t talk about patient experiences with our peers the way we present. We’re much more casual and hit the high points, Now no I’m not arguing that you should be too casual but learn how to tell a story without hitting unnecessary info.

I’ll break down exactly how I tell my patient’s medical story. Just remember that you want to be interesting and concise.

What Would I Want To Hear?

Imagine yourself as the attending. What would you want to hear?

You certainly wouldn’t want to hear your medical students telling you about lung sounds in a patient with a broken finger.

Ask yourself if a piece of info is important for your patient. You get better over time on identifying what’s important. I discuss some things you should always mention later in the post.

Write Out Your Presentation in Bullet Format

Too often I see my peers reading their typed notes word for word. They rarely look up and don’t even pretend like they’re not just regurgitating their progress note.

I get that it’s hard to memorize a presentation. It’s as scary as actually having to do one.

So use a bullet point outline.

Here’s what I do.

On the first bullet, I’ll often write a shrunk version of my one-liner. I’ll talk about mastering this later in the post.

The next few bullets I’ll break down symptoms, timeline, important features, etc. that I want to discuss when I’m telling my patient’s story.

In the next bullet points, I’ll write the vital ranges and underline anything I want to mention. I’ll also include physical exam findings and labs which are pertinent.

Finally, I’ll include a list of problems with Ddx and suggestions for the plan.

Here’s an example of what this would look like.

Honestly, this is probably more than I’d write down. I have created my abbreviations which tends to cut my bullet point to half what’s shown above.

Unless I’m lost,I don’t have to look down. Thus I’m always making eye contact with my attending – demanding attention.. This makes the presentation seem much more natural. You’re having a discussion with your attending.

Don’t read your note that they can read on their own.

S tep-By-Step Approach To Presenting Patients in Medical School  Master the One-Liner.

Your one-liner will tell the resident if they should take your presentation seriously or not. The same way a great singer grabs your attention with their first note, you have to impress with a solid one-liner.

Here’s how to do it.

Table Of Contents

Who are they?

Include their name, age, and demographics.

Why predisposes them to these symptoms/disease?

What comorbidities do they have? Which are important for their current chief complaint?

Provide some insight into severity here. Do they have HF? If so what’s their ejection fraction?

Do they have diabetes? What’s their A1C?

I discuss other examples later in the post.

Why are they here?

Their chief complaint is the most important part of your one-liner. Here are things you must include.

What caused them to come into the hospital/clinic?

Patients usually come in with symptoms, not diagnoses . So your patient comes in with a chief complaint of chest pain, not a heart attack.

Sometimes a patient may come in for one thing but are getting worked up for a different symptom altogether. You can state, “patient is being evaluated for (insert symptom) that was identified in the emergency room/clinic”. You can include in your HPI what the patient originally came in for to paint the full picture.

Master Your PHI (Present History of Illness)

I remember presenting once in the pediatric emergency room to an attending. My patient was a 6-year old girl with a cat scratch to her eye. It was my first rotation, and I had no idea what I was doing (Maybe I should have looked for such a post back then).

I began with a killer one-liner. But then, instead of talking about her eye, I began to talk about her flu-like symptoms. The attending immediately stopped me and said, “I don’t care! Tell me about her eye!”.

So learn from my mistake. Don’t talk about the flu on a patient with a scratched eye.

Keep your story to the point.

After you understand this important lesson, the next step is to begin to form the order of your story. Often this begins with how the long the symptoms are going and how they first presented. Then provide a chronological order of how the symptoms worsened/improved over time.

Make sure to include why the patient finally came to see a doctor. Why now instead of two days ago when the symptoms first started?

This is also where you include the rest of your PHI. There are several acronyms people use that I haven’t cared to remember. But here are the important details to discuss (if applicable).

How long have the symptoms lasted? How does the patient describe their symptoms/pain? (sharp, dull, throbbing, etc.) Where is it? Does it radiate? How severe on a scale of 1-10 is it? Has this number gotten worse or better over time? What makes it better and what makes it worse? Do they have any other associated symptoms? (Fevers, weakness, headaches, chest pain, etc.)

Remember not everything is important:

Let’s go back to our bullet point outline of our presentation. When you practice it in your head, ask if that fact you plan on saying is important to the person’s story.

Ever watch a movie and wonder why a scene was even needed? Don’t include extra scenes.

The attending should understand who the patient is, why they’re here, and the important events that led them to this point.

What is considered abnormal?

If something is abnormal to a patient, explain how it differs from normal for them. If a patient can’t walk without being SOB, you must explain how far could they walk before.

If they have a headache but also have a history of migraines, then you must include how this headache is different or similar to their condition.

Indicate Pertinent Positive and Negatives on

If a patient comes in with concerns of a heart attack, including the symptoms that they have which make you worried.

It’s equally as important to include symptoms of an MI that they don’t have.

But don’t go through the whole list and indicate random symptoms that don’t matter.

Become Efficient in Telling The Past Medical

Students love to list everything the patient has. But let’s be real, I don’t care if a patient has GERD and they’re coming in for osteomyelitis.

In your PMH include big comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma/COPD, heart failure, liver disease, and kidney issues.

If they do have the above comorbidities here are some things you should include.

For diabetes always include their most recent A1C. State when this was done. Also include what form of treatment they’re on (insulin, metformin, etc.), their dose, and their compliance with their medications. Also ask about their typical blood sugars, how often the measure them, and what time of the day these readings are taken.

For heart failure include their last ejection fraction and date. Indicate what medications they’re currently taking and how compliant they are. Ask the patient how many pillows they sleep with under their head as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a common symptom. Also, ask about their baseline weight (will go up in a heart failure exacerbation) and what their diet/fluid intake is like.

For asthma , you want to identify what severity they have. Are they severe persistent, moderate intermittent, or something else? How often do they use their rescue inhaler? How many times a week do they wake up at night. Also, ask if they’ve ever had to be intubated before.

Similar to asthma, for your COPD patient also include what GOLD stage they are. You’ll learn about this on your internal medicine rotation if you haven’t already.

These are some classic examples you want to hit every time.

Physical Exam

Start with their vitals.

Do you need to say everything? No.

Some attendings will want ranges for the heart rate and blood pressures. Others are fine if you say, “patient is afebrile, normotensive, and has a regular heart rate” or “vital signs are within normal limits”.

Regarding your physical – only say what you did. Again does everything matter? Nope.

Get away from sounding robotic. “Lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally” can just be “lungs clear bilaterally”.

If you don’t read your notes, you’ll seem more natural when presenting the physical.

What about labs?  Don’t present all labs obviously. No one cares about the WBC for a patient with a broken arm.

State labs of importance such as “lytes were stable; hemoglobin was decreased to (insert value) from (insert value) yesterday. Remaining labs of patients were within normal limits”.

If, however, you did a specific lab/test to confirm/rule out a disease then make sure you state the results. A common example is a urinalysis. If a patient has suspected UTI, make sure you state their UA came back without indications for an infection.

Certains labs are important to trend. This includes Creatinine, BNP, hemoglobin/hematocrit, WBC, Platelets, Lactate, and important electrolytes.

Assessment and

So you finished with the easy part. You knew the story and told it. Now you get to show you know how to doctor and not just interview.

Here’s my format to present my assessment and plan.

“This is Ms. who has (insert pertinent conditions and PMH) who came in for (symptoms). Given her symptoms and (physical exam/lab evidence A, B, C) I think she could have (differential A) given that she has (x,y, and z), she could also have (differential B) because of (x,y,z) and differential C (x,y,z).

To work her up I would do test/treatment (a,b,c) and reevaluate her (insert time frame).

I expect discharge for her pending treatment/workup and hopeful discharge (give a guess if possible).”

Boom! You just rocked that patient presentation!

If your patient has multiple problems, you can break your A/P by problem. For example, you can state, “For her back pain I think she could have (X,Y, or Z). I think we should give her treatment (A or B).” Keep going down her problem list. Some attendings like a system based but the method is the same.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1.   The Med School Handbook :   Join thousands of other students who have taken advantage of the hundreds of FREE tips & strategies I wish I were given on the first day of medical school to crush it with less stress. 

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4. Learn the one study strategy that saved my  grades in medical school here (viewed by more than a million students like you). 

So there you have it. Now you can present patients in medical school like a pro!

Here are other posts you may enjoy as well.

How to Build Strong Relationships with Your Patients Dealing With Death in Medical School Regaining Motivation in Medical School Top Resources to Honor Your Pediatrics Rotation

Until next time, my friend…

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How To Present a Patient: A Step-To-Step Guide

Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Laura Turner

Updated and verified by Dr. Lee Burnett on March 19, 2022.

The ability to deliver oral case presentations is a core skill for any physician. Effective oral case presentations help facilitate information transfer among physicians and are essential to delivering quality patient care. Oral case presentations are also a key component of how medical students and residents are assessed during their training.

At its core, an oral case presentation functions as an argument. It is the presenter’s job to share the pertinent facts of a patient’s case with the other members of the medical care team and establish a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. Thus, the presenter should include details to support the proposed diagnosis, argue against alternative diagnoses, and exclude extraneous information. While this task may seem daunting at first, with practice, it will become easier. That said, if you are unsure if a particular detail is important to your patient’s case, it is probably best to be safe and include it.

Now, let’s go over how to present a case. While I will focus on internal medicine inpatients, the following framework can be applied to patients in any setting with slight modifications.

Oral case presentations are generally made to a medical care team, which can be composed of medical and pharmacy students, residents, pharmacists, medical attendings, and others. As the presenter, you should strive to deliver an interesting presentation that keeps your team members engaged. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Be confident: Speak clearly at the loudest volume appropriate to protect patient privacy, vary your tone to emphasize the most important details, and maintain eye contact with members of your team.
  • Don’t fidget : Stand up straight and avoid unnecessary, distracting movements.
  • Use your notes : You may glance at your notes from time to time while presenting. However, while there is no need to memorize your presentation, there is no better way to lose your team’s attention than to read your notes to them.
  • Be honest: Given the importance of presentations in guiding medical care, never guess or report false information to the team. If you are unsure about a particular detail, say so.

The length of your presentation will depend on various factors, including the complexity of your patient, your audience, and your specialty. I have found that new internal medicine inpatients generally take 5-10 minutes to present. Internal medicine clerkship directors seem to agree. In a 2009 survey , they reported a range of 2-20 minutes for the ideal length of student inpatient presentations, with a median of 7 minutes.

While delivering oral case presentations is a core skill for trainees, and there have been attempts to standardize the format , expectations still vary among attending physicians. This can be a frustrating experience for trainees, and I would recommend that you clarify your attending’s expectations at the beginning of each new rotation. However, I have found that these differences are often stylistic, and content expectations are generally quite similar. Thus, developing a familiarity with the core elements of a strong oral case presentation is essential.

How to Present a Patient

You should begin every oral presentation with a brief one-liner that contains the patient’s name, age, relevant past medical history, and chief complaint. Remember that the chief complaint is why the patient sought medical care in his or her own words. An example of an effective opening is as follows: “Ms. X is a 78-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presents to the hospital after she felt short of breath at home.”

Following the opener, elaborate on why the patient sought medical care. Describe the events that preceded the patient’s presentation in chronological order. A useful mnemonic to use when deciding what to report is OPQRST , which includes: • The Onset of the patient’s symptoms • Any Palliative or Provoking factors that make the symptoms better or worse, respectively • The Quality of his or her symptoms (how he or she describes them) • The Region of the body where the patient is experiencing his or her symptoms and (if the symptom is pain) whether the patient’s pain Radiates to another location or is well-localized • The Severity of the symptoms and any other associated Symptoms • The Time course of the symptoms (how they have changed over time and whether the patient has experienced them before) Additionally, include any other details here that may support your final diagnosis or rule out alternative diagnoses. For example, if you are concerned about a pulmonary embolism and your patient recently completed a long-distance flight, that would be worth mentioning.

The review of systems is sometimes included in the history of present illness, but it may also be separated. Given the potential breadth of the review of systems (a comprehensive list of questions that may be asked can be found here ), when presenting, only report information that is relevant to your patient’s condition.

The past medical history comes next. This should include the following information: • The patient’s medical conditions, including any that were not highlighted in the opener • Any past surgeries the patient has had and when they were performed • The timing of and reasons for past hospitalizations • Any current medications, including dosages and frequency of administration

The next section should detail the patient’s relevant family history. This should include: • Any relevant conditions that run in the patient’s family, with an emphasis on first-degree relatives

After the family history comes the social history. This section should include information about the patient’s: • Living situation • Occupation • Alcohol and tobacco use • Other substance use You may also include relevant details about the patient’s education level, recent travel history, history of animal and occupational exposures, and religious beliefs. For example, it would be worth mentioning that your anemic patient is a Jehovah’s Witness to guide medical decisions regarding blood transfusions.

Once you have finished reporting the patient’s history, you should transition to the physical exam. You should begin by reporting the patient’s vital signs, which includes the patient’s: • Temperature • Heart rate • Blood pressure • Respiratory rate • Oxygen saturation (if the patient is using supplemental oxygen, this should also be reported) Next, you should discuss the findings of your physical exam. At the minimum, this should include: • Your general impressions of the patient, including whether he or she appears “sick” or not • The results of your: • Head and neck exam • Eye exam • Respiratory exam • Cardiac exam • Abdominal exam • Extremity exam • Neurological exam Additional relevant physical examination findings may be included, as well. Quick note: resist the urge to report an exam as being “normal.” Instead, report your findings. For example, for a normal abdominal exam, you could report that “the patient’s abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended, with normoactive bowel sounds.”

This section includes the results of any relevant laboratory testing, imaging, or other diagnostics that were obtained. You do not have to report the results of every test that was ordered. Before presenting, consider which results will further support your proposed diagnosis and exclude alternatives.

The emergency department (ED) course is classically reported towards the end of the presentation. However, different attendings may prefer to hear the ED course earlier, usually following the history of present illness. When unsure, report the ED course after the results of diagnostic testing. Be sure to include initial ED vital signs and any administered treatments.

You should conclude your presentation with the assessment and plan. This is the most important part of your presentation and allows you to show your team how much you really know. You should include: • A brief summary (1-2 lines) of the patient, the reason for admission, and your likely diagnosis. This should also include information regarding the patient’s clinical stability. While it can be similar to your opener, it should not be identical. An example could be: “Ms. X is a 78-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presents with shortness of breath in the setting of an upper respiratory tract infection who is now stable on two liters of supplemental oxygen delivered via nasal cannula. Her symptoms are thought to be secondary to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” • A differential diagnosis . For students, this should consist of 3-5 potential diagnoses. You should explain why you think each diagnosis is or is not the final diagnosis. Be sure to rule out potentially life-threatening conditions (unless you think your patient has one). For our fictional patient, Ms. X, for example, you could explain why you think she does not have a pulmonary embolism or acute coronary syndrome. For more advanced trainees, the differential can be more limited in scope. • Your plan . On regular inpatient floors, this should include a list of the patient’s medical problems, ordered by acuity, followed by your proposed plan for each. After going through each active medical problem, be sure to mention your choice for the patient’s diet and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, the patient’s stated code status, and the patient’s disposition (whether you think they need to remain in the hospital). In intensive care units, you can organize the patient’s medical problems by organ system to ensure that no stone is left unturned (if there are no active issues for an organ system, you may say so).

Presenting Patients Who Have Been in the Hospital for Multiple Days

After the initial presentation, subsequent presentations can be delivered via SOAP note format as follows:

  • The  Subjective  section includes details about any significant overnight events and any new complaints the patient has.
  • In the  Objective  section, report your physical exam (focus on any changes since you last examined the patient) and any significant new laboratory, imaging, or other diagnostic results.
  • The  Assessment  and  Plan  are typically delivered as above. For the initial patient complaint, you do not have to restate your differential diagnosis if the diagnosis is known. For new complaints, however, you should create another differential and argue for or against each diagnosis. Be sure to update your plan every day.

Presenting Patients in Different Specialties

Before you present a patient, consider your audience. Every specialty presents patients differently. In general, surgical and OB/GYN presentations tend to be much quicker (2-3 minutes), while pediatric and family medicine presentations tend to be similar in length to internal medicine presentations. Tailor your presentations accordingly.

Presenting Patients in Outpatient Settings

Outpatients may be presented similarly to inpatients. Your presentation’s focus, however, should align with your outpatient clinic’s specialty. For example, if you are working at a cardiology clinic, your presentation should be focused on your patient’s cardiac complaints.

If your patient is returning for a follow-up visit and does not have a stated chief complaint, you should say so. You may replace the history of present illness with any relevant interval history since his or her last visit.

And that’s it! Delivering oral case presentations is challenging at first, so remember to practice. In time, you will become proficient in this essential medical skill. Good luck!

medical school presentation topics

Kunal Sindhu, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and New York Proton Center. Dr. Sindhu specializes in treating cancers of the head, neck, and central nervous system.

2 thoughts on “How To Present a Patient: A Step-To-Step Guide”

To clarify, it should take 5-10 minutes to present (just one) new internal medicine inpatient? Or if the student had 4 patients to work up, it should take 10 minutes to present all 4 patients to the preceptor?

Good question. That’s per case, but with time you’ll become faster.

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77 interesting medical research topics for 2024

Last updated

25 November 2023

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Medical research is the gateway to improved patient care and expanding our available treatment options. However, finding a relevant and compelling research topic can be challenging.

Use this article as a jumping-off point to select an interesting medical research topic for your next paper or clinical study.

  • How to choose a medical research topic

When choosing a research topic , it’s essential to consider a couple of things. What topics interest you? What unanswered questions do you want to address? 

During the decision-making and brainstorming process, here are a few helpful tips to help you pick the right medical research topic:

Focus on a particular field of study

The best medical research is specific to a particular area. Generalized studies are often too broad to produce meaningful results, so we advise picking a specific niche early in the process. 

Maybe a certain topic interests you, or your industry knowledge reveals areas of need.

Look into commonly researched topics

Once you’ve chosen your research field, do some preliminary research. What have other academics done in their papers and projects? 

From this list, you can focus on specific topics that interest you without accidentally creating a copycat project. This groundwork will also help you uncover any literature gaps—those may be beneficial areas for research.

Get curious and ask questions

Now you can get curious. Ask questions that start with why, how, or what. These questions are the starting point of your project design and will act as your guiding light throughout the process. 

For example: 

What impact does pollution have on children’s lung function in inner-city neighborhoods? 

Why is pollution-based asthma on the rise? 

How can we address pollution-induced asthma in young children? 

  • 77 medical research topics worth exploring in 2023

Need some research inspiration for your upcoming paper or clinical study? We’ve compiled a list of 77 topical and in-demand medical research ideas. Let’s take a look. 

  • Exciting new medical research topics

If you want to study cutting-edge topics, here are some exciting options:

COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms

Since 2020, COVID-19 has been a hot-button topic in medicine, along with the long-term symptoms in those with a history of COVID-19. 

Examples of COVID-19-related research topics worth exploring include:

The long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac and respiratory health

COVID-19 vaccination rates

The evolution of COVID-19 symptoms over time

New variants and strains of the COVID-19 virus

Changes in social behavior and public health regulations amid COVID-19

Vaccinations

Finding ways to cure or reduce the disease burden of chronic infectious diseases is a crucial research area. Vaccination is a powerful option and a great topic to research. 

Examples of vaccination-related research topics include:

mRNA vaccines for viral infections

Biomaterial vaccination capabilities

Vaccination rates based on location, ethnicity, or age

Public opinion about vaccination safety 

Artificial tissues fabrication

With the need for donor organs increasing, finding ways to fabricate artificial bioactive tissues (and possibly organs) is a popular research area. 

Examples of artificial tissue-related research topics you can study include:

The viability of artificially printed tissues

Tissue substrate and building block material studies

The ethics and efficacy of artificial tissue creation

  • Medical research topics for medical students

For many medical students, research is a big driver for entering healthcare. If you’re a medical student looking for a research topic, here are some great ideas to work from:

Sleep disorders

Poor sleep quality is a growing problem, and it can significantly impact a person’s overall health. 

Examples of sleep disorder-related research topics include:

How stress affects sleep quality

The prevalence and impact of insomnia on patients with mental health conditions

Possible triggers for sleep disorder development

The impact of poor sleep quality on psychological and physical health

How melatonin supplements impact sleep quality

Alzheimer’s and dementia 

Cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise worldwide. They currently have no cure. As a result, research about these topics is in high demand. 

Examples of dementia-related research topics you could explore include:

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in a chosen population

Early onset symptoms of dementia

Possible triggers or causes of cognitive decline with age

Treatment options for dementia-like conditions

The mental and physical burden of caregiving for patients with dementia

  • Lifestyle habits and public health

Modern lifestyles have profoundly impacted the average person’s daily habits, and plenty of interesting topics explore its effects. 

Examples of lifestyle and public health-related research topics include:

The nutritional intake of college students

The impact of chronic work stress on overall health

The rise of upper back and neck pain from laptop use

Prevalence and cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSI)

  • Controversial medical research paper topics

Medical research is a hotbed of controversial topics, content, and areas of study. 

If you want to explore a more niche (and attention-grabbing) concept, here are some controversial medical research topics worth looking into:

The benefits and risks of medical cannabis

Depending on where you live, the legalization and use of cannabis for medical conditions is controversial for the general public and healthcare providers.

Examples of medical cannabis-related research topics that might grab your attention include:

The legalization process of medical cannabis

The impact of cannabis use on developmental milestones in youth users

Cannabis and mental health diagnoses

CBD’s impact on chronic pain

Prevalence of cannabis use in young people

The impact of maternal cannabis use on fetal development 

Understanding how THC impacts cognitive function

Human genetics

The Human Genome Project identified, mapped, and sequenced all human DNA genes. Its completion in 2003 opened up a world of exciting and controversial studies in human genetics.

Examples of human genetics-related research topics worth delving into include:

Medical genetics and the incidence of genetic-based health disorders

Behavioral genetics differences between identical twins

Genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders

Machine learning technologies for genetic research

Sexual health studies

Human sexuality and sexual health are important (yet often stigmatized) medical topics that need new research and analysis.

As a diverse field ranging from sexual orientation studies to sexual pathophysiology, examples of sexual health-related research topics include:

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections within a chosen population

Mental health conditions within the LGBTQIA+ community

The impact of untreated sexually transmitted infections

Access to safe sex resources (condoms, dental dams, etc.) in rural areas

  • Health and wellness research topics

Human wellness and health are trendy topics in modern medicine as more people are interested in finding natural ways to live healthier lifestyles. 

If this field of study interests you, here are some big topics in the wellness space:

Gluten sensitivity

Gluten allergies and intolerances have risen over the past few decades. If you’re interested in exploring this topic, your options range in severity from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to full-blown anaphylaxis. 

Some examples of gluten sensitivity-related research topics include:

The pathophysiology and incidence of Celiac disease

Early onset symptoms of gluten intolerance

The prevalence of gluten allergies within a set population

Gluten allergies and the incidence of other gastrointestinal health conditions

Pollution and lung health

Living in large urban cities means regular exposure to high levels of pollutants. 

As more people become interested in protecting their lung health, examples of impactful lung health and pollution-related research topics include:

The extent of pollution in densely packed urban areas

The prevalence of pollution-based asthma in a set population

Lung capacity and function in young people

The benefits and risks of steroid therapy for asthma

Pollution risks based on geographical location

Plant-based diets

Plant-based diets like vegan and paleo diets are emerging trends in healthcare due to their limited supporting research. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the potential benefits or risks of holistic, diet-based medicine, examples of plant-based diet research topics to explore include:

Vegan and plant-based diets as part of disease management

Potential risks and benefits of specific plant-based diets

Plant-based diets and their impact on body mass index

The effect of diet and lifestyle on chronic disease management

Health supplements

Supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry. Many health-conscious people take supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbal medicine, and more. 

Examples of health supplement-related research topics worth investigating include:

Omega-3 fish oil safety and efficacy for cardiac patients

The benefits and risks of regular vitamin D supplementation

Health supplementation regulation and product quality

The impact of social influencer marketing on consumer supplement practices

Analyzing added ingredients in protein powders

  • Healthcare research topics

Working within the healthcare industry means you have insider knowledge and opportunity. Maybe you’d like to research the overall system, administration, and inherent biases that disrupt access to quality care. 

While these topics are essential to explore, it is important to note that these studies usually require approval and oversight from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This ensures the study is ethical and does not harm any subjects. 

For this reason, the IRB sets protocols that require additional planning, so consider this when mapping out your study’s timeline. 

Here are some examples of trending healthcare research areas worth pursuing:

The pros and cons of electronic health records

The rise of electronic healthcare charting and records has forever changed how medical professionals and patients interact with their health data. 

Examples of electronic health record-related research topics include:

The number of medication errors reported during a software switch

Nurse sentiment analysis of electronic charting practices

Ethical and legal studies into encrypting and storing personal health data

Inequities within healthcare access

Many barriers inhibit people from accessing the quality medical care they need. These issues result in health disparities and injustices. 

Examples of research topics about health inequities include:

The impact of social determinants of health in a set population

Early and late-stage cancer stage diagnosis in urban vs. rural populations

Affordability of life-saving medications

Health insurance limitations and their impact on overall health

Diagnostic and treatment rates across ethnicities

People who belong to an ethnic minority are more likely to experience barriers and restrictions when trying to receive quality medical care. This is due to systemic healthcare racism and bias. 

As a result, diagnostic and treatment rates in minority populations are a hot-button field of research. Examples of ethnicity-based research topics include:

Cancer biopsy rates in BIPOC women

The prevalence of diabetes in Indigenous communities

Access inequalities in women’s health preventative screenings

The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in Black populations

  • Pharmaceutical research topics

Large pharmaceutical companies are incredibly interested in investing in research to learn more about potential cures and treatments for diseases. 

If you’re interested in building a career in pharmaceutical research, here are a few examples of in-demand research topics:

Cancer treatment options

Clinical research is in high demand as pharmaceutical companies explore novel cancer treatment options outside of chemotherapy and radiation. 

Examples of cancer treatment-related research topics include:

Stem cell therapy for cancer

Oncogenic gene dysregulation and its impact on disease

Cancer-causing viral agents and their risks

Treatment efficacy based on early vs. late-stage cancer diagnosis

Cancer vaccines and targeted therapies

Immunotherapy for cancer

Pain medication alternatives

Historically, opioid medications were the primary treatment for short- and long-term pain. But, with the opioid epidemic getting worse, the need for alternative pain medications has never been more urgent. 

Examples of pain medication-related research topics include:

Opioid withdrawal symptoms and risks

Early signs of pain medication misuse

Anti-inflammatory medications for pain control

  • Identify trends in your medical research with Dovetail

Are you interested in contributing life-changing research? Today’s medical research is part of the future of clinical patient care. 

As your go-to resource for speedy and accurate data analysis , we are proud to partner with healthcare researchers to innovate and improve the future of healthcare.

Should you be using a customer insights hub?

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List of 200+ Healthcare & Medical Presentation Topics

Published by admin on march 9, 2019.

This is a comprehensive list of more than 200 healthcare and Medical Presentation Topics is useful for Powerpoint PPT & Paper Presentations. These topics can be used for webinars, Seminars, conferences, oral presentations, speeches and classroom presentations

Students of MBBS, BAMS, BHMS, B Pharmacy, D Pharmacy, M Pharmacy, Bio-Technology and other medical and healthcare streams can get the benefit of this list of medical presentation topics.

Below is the list of Healthcare & Medical Topics for Presentation.

Abdominal Trauma

Abuse and Neglect

Adult Day Care

Ageing/Geriatrics

Air and community health

Airway Management and Ventilation

Allergies – Anaphylaxis

Alzheimer’s Disease

Ambulance Operations

Artificial respiration

Analysis of qualitative data

Analysis of quantitative data and approaching the families in Community

Attention Deficit Disorder

Aquatic Therapy

Assessment-Based Management

Autonomic nervous system & Peripheral nervous system

Behavioural sciences & their relevance to Community Health

Babysitting

Bacterial Vaginosis

Behavioural and Psychiatric Disorders

Biochemical characteristics of cancer

Biosimulation

Bio-statistics in Health

Bioterrorism – WMD

Birth Control for Moms

Blood Borne Pathogens

Breast Cancer

Breastfeeding & weaning & Baby-Friendly Hospitals Breastfeeding promotion

Cancer/Radiation Therapy

Cardiovascular system

Case-Control Studies

Cataract Surgery

Causation & association

Central nervous system

Childhood Obesity

Children’s Health

Cholesterol

Clinical forensic medicine

Clinical Decision Making

Cohort studies

Collection of data – sampling methods, the sample size

Collection of vital statistics in the community

Commonwealth Health Corporation

Commonwealth Health Foundation

Commonwealth Health Free Clinic

Communications

Community organization in rural and urban areas – community participation

Concepts in Community Health

Creatinine Blood Test

Crime Scene Awareness

Cross-Sectional Anatomy

Culture, habits, customs and community health

Customised treatments

Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness

Demographic trends in India.

Designing interview schedules – KABP studies

DNA repair mechanisms and related disorders

DNA Replication,

DNA Sequencing for Routine Checkups

DNA Transcription

Documentation

Drive-Thru Clinics

Ears, Nose and Throat Disorders

EMS Systems Roles and Responsibilities

Endocrine System and Individual Endocrine Glands

Endocrinology

Endoscopic Ultrasound: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Environment and community health

Environmental toxicology

Environmental Conditions

Epidemiology as a tool for community health

Expanding Surgical Options for Lung Cancer Treatments

Eye banking & ethics in ophthalmology

Family and its role in health and disease

Family planning methods: permanent methods

Family planning methods: spacing methods

The fate of the antigen-antibody complex

Fertility & fertility-related statistics

Fitness/Exercise

Food habits, customs related to pregnancy, childbirth & lactation

Food Hygiene, Food Adulteration & Food poisoning

Forensic medicine & toxicology

Forensic psychiatry

Gastroenterology

Gastrointestinal System

Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA technology

Gynaecology

Hazardous Materials Incidents

Head – Facial Trauma

Health care of special groups: Adolescents & School Children

Health Education Tools & Audio-visual aids

Health hazards faced by agricultural workers

Health Planning in India

Health problem associated with urbanization & industrialization

Health seeking behaviour – barriers to health

The health situation in India

Healthcare Careers

Healthy Lifestyle

Heart Attacks in Women

Heart Disease

Heart Disease & Stroke Risk Factors

Haematology

Haemorrhage and Shock

Haemorrhoids

High Blood Pressure

High-risk strategy & risk factors in pregnancy & childbirth

Histology of various organs/organ systems

History of The Medical Center

History Taking

Home Health Care

Home Medical Equipment

Hospitals at home

Human sexuality; sex and marriage counselling

Hybrid Approach to Coronary Artery Disease

Hypothermia and its clinical applications

IEC & Health Education Strategies

Illness and Injury Prevention

Immunization for international travel

Indoor environment and health

Industrial toxic exposures

Infant & Child Mortality

Infant Care (Safety, CPR, Birth)

Infectious Diseases

Infectious – Communicable Diseases

Introduction to Maternal & Child Health

Jet-Set & Suture

Joint Replacement

Kidney Failure

LASIK (Eye Procedure)

Life tables and life table techniques for evaluation of family planning methods

Life Span Development

Manage Kids’ Diabetes

Massage Therapy

Measurement of Nutritional Status of Community

Introduction to Family Health Advisory Service

Measuring the burden of disease in the community

Measuring vital events in the community

Medical Equipment

Medical Ethics:

Medical Incident Command

Medical jurisprudence

Medical/Legal Issues

Medication Errors/Drug Interactions

Medico-social problems, beliefs and practices related to acute and chronic diseases

Memory enhancement

Men’s Health

Multiple Sclerosis

Musculoskeletal Trauma

Nanorobotics

National Family Welfare Programme – 2;

National Family Welfare Programme – I

National health programmes for the control of communicable/non-communicable diseases

National Population Policy

A natural history of disease and levels of prevention

Neonatology

Neuro Anatomy

Neuromuscular transmission

The normal distribution, Bi-nominal distribution & poison Distribution

Nuclear Medicine (PET Imaging and Radiation Safety)

Nutrition Programmes in India

Nutritional requirements & sources

Osteoporosis

Parenting an ADHD Child

Pathophysiology

Patient Assessment

Patients with Special Challenges

Paediatrics

Pharmacology

Physiological effects of yoga

Planning & Evaluation of Health Education Programmes

Pneumoconiosis

Preserving Fertility in Cancer Survivors

Prevention of occupational diseases & ESI

Principles of bioelectricity

Probabilities and conditional probabilities

Prostate Cancer: Should We Be Screening?

Protein-energy malnutrition, growth monitoring & promotion

Pulmonary Emergency

Reproductive and Child Health Programme

Rescue Awareness and Operations

Review of the Human Body

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Road Traffic Accidents

Senior Health

Sleep and Pulmonary Disorders

Sleep is the new sex

Socio-economic measurement status and its role in community health

Soft Tissue Trauma

Special Sensory Organs

Spinal Trauma

Spirituality & Health

Sports Injuries and Treatment

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Offers Option to High-Risk Surgery Patients

Stress Management

Stroke/Aneurysms

Survey methods and interview techniques in community Health

Techniques of Physical Examination

Testicular & Prostate Cancer

Tests of significance of statistical hypothesis

The next pandemic

The yogic practices

The Well-Being of the Paramedic

Therapeutic Communications

Thoracic Trauma

Trauma Systems and Mechanism of Injury

Vaccines for All Ages

Varicose Veins

Vascular Disease/Surgery

Venous Access and Medication Administration

Waste disposal

Water and community health

When to Call 911

Women’s Health

Work Injury Management

Working environment and community health

Worksite Wellness

Xenobiotics

Yoga in health and disease

Hope this list of healthcare and medical presentation topics will help you prepare stunning presentations for school, college and other power-point presentations.

For more presentation ideas check this article – 1000+ presentation topic ideas

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medical school presentation topics

A medical student’s first patient presentation

In medical school, you’re not taught how to give stellar patient presentations. Yes, you’re shown the traditional order of things: “Give an effective one-liner first, then tell the HPI [history of present illness] but only give pertinent info, etc.” Just exactly how to deliver the punch that impresses your attending is an art. And it’s an art that takes some time to perfect.

My very first time presenting a patient was terrifying, and it was during my neurology rotation. My attending was the head of the neurology and rehabilitation department, and I was the only first-year med student. On the team were two third-years, one fellow, and three residents.

David was a 21-year-old Asian male who came to the ER for upper extremity weakness. He and his mom spoke Cantonese to each other and me, so our interactions were assisted by one of the mobile translator stations. It had a tablet attached to a pole about 4 or so feet off the ground, and once you selected your language, an interpreter was online within a minute.

As is usual with new patients, students are the first to meet them and to gather the HPI. Then, the residents see the same patients, and with the students together formulate the differential diagnosis and management plan for each patient. The resident I worked with, Catherine, was wonderful, and an MD/PhD. Though, she notoriously had high expectations of students.

“Alright, tell me your presentation.”

“David is a 21-year-old Asian male who came to the ER this morning for a three-day history of upper extremity weakness in both arms.”

“Good. Keep going.”

“This is new to him, and he was not in an accident or any incidence of trauma recently or in the past.”

“No. What did you learn? OLDCARTS. Onset. Location. Duration. Character. Aggravating or Alleviating factors. Radiation. Timing. Severity. You already said onset, location, and duration. Did he feel any pain prior to or during his weakness? Does the weakness come and go? Anything he does make it better or worse? You have to go in order; if not I won’t follow you.”

“OK …”

I was ready to give it another go-around, but by that time the team phone rang and it was the attending on speakerphone.

“Good morning everyone. Ready for rounds?”

“Yes, Dr. Lezinsky,” said one of the residents.

“Great, meet me outside room 13-A.”

Wonderful. That’s the room my patient was in.

As I walked in the middle of the pack of alternating short and long white coats to my patient’s room, I felt my heart beat at an alarming rate. My watch even vibrated continuously, with the screen showing my heart rate above 100. I casually silenced my watch and also my head so that I could stop being so nervous.

At the door, we were greeted by my patient’s nurse and saw Dr. Lezinsky for the first time. He was a legend at the hospital and was also the neurology residency program director. I’ve heard stories of him being one of the best attendings you’ll ever have the pleasure of listening and learning from, but that he was also hard on students.

Without many words, he said, “Which medical student has the first patient?”

“That would be me.”

“What year?”

“First-year, sir.”

“Let’s hear the story.”

I have a bad habit of overly relying on handwritten or printed notes if I have them on hand. I remembered most of the beginning of the presentation, but slowly started to read off of my paper so that I wouldn’t say anything out of order or incorrectly.

About halfway through, I quickly glanced at my resident. Catherine gave me the look of, “What are you literally doing? Didn’t we rehearse?” In stark contrast, Dr. Lezinsky was devoid of emotion and instead nodded his head every so often. But was that an affirmative nod? Or a nod that meant, “Not right, but we’ll talk about it once you’re done presenting.”

In what seemed like an eternity with my palms now clammy, I concluded the presentation with the one-liner, my differential as to my thoughts on what could be causing David’s symptoms, and my proposed management plan.

“Is that all, T.J.?”

“I believe so, sir.”

“OK, Catherine, anything else to add?”

“Only that he is up to date with all of his vaccinations, and that he and his family only speak Cantonese.”

“T.J., can you get the … oh great! You have the tablet. I’ll let you introduce the team to the family, and we’ll have the interpreter join us to help.”

The team met David and his parents, and it was smooth sailing from there. Myasthenia gravis is what we thought he had because of his weakness worsening as the day progressed along with slurred speech in the evenings. Immunosuppressive treatment was soon started and David’s condition improved.

As we entered the elevator to the next patient floor, it was Dr. Lezinsky at the front and me right behind him. As the door closed, Dr. Lezinsky turned his body towards me.

“Was this your first time presenting?”

“Yes, it was.”

“That was really good. Over time, you’ll find yourself not referring to your notes, but relying more on your understanding of the patient’s history and possible disease etiology.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Lezinsky. That really means a lot.”

Looking back to my first presentation, I’ve improved since then. After you do something so many times over, you start creating your own personal style. Yet, I know that there is always room to improve and the way you present a patient varies tremendously depending on the environment and the status of the patient. It all boils down to this: If you can give an effective and memorable presentation, you’re a better advocate for your patient.

Ton La, Jr. is a medical student and can be reached on  LinkedIn .

Image credit:  Shutterstock.com

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A medical student’s first patient presentation 3 comments

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medical school presentation topics

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Medical Students Topics

  • Electronic Health Records
  • Exercise and Sports Medicine
  • Genomic Medicine
  • Health Diversity
  • Healthcare Reform & the ACA
  • Palliative Care
  • Patient Safety
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Substance Abuse and Addiction

All Medscape Topics

  • Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS)
  • Acute Leukemia
  • Adolescent Medicine
  • Aesthetic Medicine
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA)
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • AMD and Retinal Disease
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Antiretroviral Therapy
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Arrhythmia & EP
  • Arthroplasty
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Bioterrorism/Disaster Medicine
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Bone and Mineral Disorders
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Brain Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • C. difficile
  • Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
  • Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • Celiac Disease
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Chronic Leukemia
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Cornea and External Disease
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Cosmetic Dermatology
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Crohn's Disease
  • CVD Prevention
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Dental and Oral Health
  • Diabetic Microvascular Complications
  • Eating Disorders
  • Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases
  • End-Stage Renal Disease
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gallbladder and Biliary Disease
  • Geriatrics-Palliative Care
  • GI/Colorectal Cancer
  • GI/Noncolorectal Cancer
  • GU/Prostate Cancer
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Heart Failure
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV Transmission & Prevention
  • Hodgkin's Lymphoma
  • Hospital Medicine
  • HPV and Cervical Cancer
  • Hypertension
  • Hypogonadism
  • IBS and Chronic Constipation
  • Immunization
  • Infertility
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Insulin Therapy
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology & Surgery
  • Joint Disorders
  • Kidney & Pancreas Transplant
  • Lipids & Metabolic
  • Liver & Intestine Transplant
  • Lung Cancer
  • Lyme Disease
  • Mechanical Ventilation
  • Medical Lifestyle
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  • Medical Practice Management
  • Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer
  • Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Surgery (MIGS)
  • Moderate to Severe Asthma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Neurosurgery
  • Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
  • Novel Coronavirus
  • Nurse Career and Education
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • OB/GYN and Women's Health Nursing
  • Obesity and Weight Management
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Otitis Media
  • Otolaryngology
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Pain Management
  • Pancreatitis
  • Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Pediatrics/Neonatal Care Nursing
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease
  • Perioperative Nursing
  • Preclinical Studies
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
  • Rare Diseases
  • Reimbursement and Quality
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma
  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Science and Technology
  • Sjögren's Syndrome
  • Skin Cancer
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Spinal Disorders
  • Stroke/Cerebrovascular Disease
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  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Thyroid Disease
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medical school presentation topics

30 Top Medical Presentation Ideas

30 Top Medical Presentation Ideas

Introducing 30 Top Medical Presentation Ideas with free templates. Explore a diverse collection of professionally designed presentation templates, each tailored to showcase different facets of the medical field.

Whether you’re delving into the world of medicine, healthcare, or cutting-edge medical technologies, our templates offer a visually compelling way to convey your message. From topics like scientific medicine and emergency treatment to pharmaceutical breakthroughs and established therapies, these templates cover a wide spectrum of medical subjects. Elevate your presentations with these eye-catching designs and captivate your audience with informative and engaging content. Download our free medical templates today and embark on a journey to create impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression.

Table of Contents

1. medical textbooks, 2. portrait of medical staff in blue colors, 3. medical practitioner, 4. emergency medicine treatment, 5. pill cocktail, 6. signs of medicine in a green colors, 7. nanotechnology in medicine, 8. modern medicine, 9. medicine, 10. illegal medicine, 11. doctor hands holding medicine, 12. medicine bottle, 13. doctors of medicine, 14. dental medicine, 15. doctor of medicine, 16. medicine in tablets, 17. global medicine concept, 18. medical prescription, 19. first aid kit, 20. paediatrist, 21. aortic aneurysm, 22. medical tests in the lab, 23. anti smoking, 24. medical care, 25. blue cross and chronometer, 26. health check diagnosis concept, 27. medical diagnosis, 28. infusion, 29. surgical instruments, 30. first aid car.

Introducing the Medical Textbooks Presentation Template !

Are you a medical student or educator looking to make your presentations stand out? Look no further! Our “Medical Textbooks” template is here to elevate your medical lectures, seminars, or workshops.

medical school presentation topics

This dynamic template features a captivating image of a stack of textbooks topped with a stethoscope. It perfectly encapsulates the essence of medical education, making it ideal for presentations related to medicine learning, medical institutes, colleges, or any topic within the field of medicine.

With this template, you can effortlessly convey complex medical concepts and engage your audience with its visually appealing design. Whether you’re discussing the latest research findings, sharing valuable insights, or guiding future doctors and nurses, this template provides a professional and polished backdrop for your content.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your medical presentations. Download our “Medical Textbooks” template today and take your medical discourse to the next level. Your audience will thank you for it!

Get started now and deliver impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression. Your journey towards effective medical communication begins here.

Download the template

Explore our Portrait Of Medical Staff in Blue Colors presentation template , a versatile and visually appealing resource for a wide range of medical and healthcare-related topics. This template features a professional and dedicated medical team, including doctors, nurses, pediatricians, and specialists, all dressed in calming blue attire.

Whether you’re preparing a presentation on general medicine, healthcare services, clinics, or hospitals, this template provides an excellent backdrop to deliver your message effectively. The blue color scheme exudes trust, professionalism, and reliability, setting the tone for a credible and informative presentation.

medical school presentation topics

Highlight key aspects of your medical content, from aftercare and diagnosis to emergency services and rehabilitation. The template’s visuals convey a sense of expertise and teamwork, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in the medical field.

With a modern and clean design, your audience will appreciate the clarity and organization of your presentation. Engage your viewers with compelling content, and use this template as a powerful tool to educate, inform, or advocate for various medical topics.

Don’t miss the opportunity to captivate your audience and make a lasting impression. Download our “Portrait Of Medical Staff in Blue Colors” template now and take your medical presentations to the next level.

Introducing our Medical Practitioner presentation template , a powerful resource designed to enhance your medical and healthcare-related presentations. This template features a confident and dedicated doctor at the forefront, symbolizing expertise and trust in the field of medicine.

Whether you’re delivering a presentation on medical tests, patient care, equipment, scientific research, or specialized fields like pediatrics and cardiology, this template provides an ideal platform. The blue color scheme exudes professionalism and reliability, setting the tone for a credible and informative presentation.

medical school presentation topics

Emphasize various aspects of medical practice, from aftercare and rehabilitation to healthcare facilities and support from a team of experts. The visuals in this template convey a sense of confidence, competence, and compassion, highlighting the essential qualities of a medical practitioner.

With a clean and modern design, this template ensures your content is clear, organized, and engaging for your audience. Use it as a versatile tool to educate, inform, and inspire others about critical medical topics.

Don’t miss the chance to create impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression on your viewers. Download our “Medical Practitioner” template now and elevate your medical presentations to new heights, driving home the importance of quality healthcare and medical expertise.

Introducing the Emergency Medicine Treatment Presentation Template !

In the fast-paced world of emergency medicine, effective communication is paramount. Our “Emergency Medicine Treatment” template is here to assist you in delivering impactful presentations on medical treatment, healthcare, and emergency care.

medical school presentation topics

This striking template features a phonendoscope and a bandage against a vibrant blue backdrop, creating a sense of urgency and professionalism. The dark blue and white color scheme adds a touch of sophistication, making it an ideal choice for presentations related to clinics, pediatric care, traumatology, and all aspects of emergency medical services.

With this template, you can effectively convey the importance of rapid response and quality healthcare in critical situations. Whether you’re discussing first aid procedures, medical equipment management, or the vital role of paramedics and emergency services, our “Emergency Medicine Treatment” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Embrace the urgency of your field and ensure that your presentations leave a lasting impact. Download the “Emergency Medicine Treatment” template now and empower your audience with the knowledge and skills needed in emergency situations.

Don’t wait—take action now and deliver presentations that can make a real difference in the world of emergency medicine. Your commitment to saving lives begins with effective communication.

Welcome to our Pill Cocktail presentation template , designed to make your pharmaceutical and medical presentations more captivating and informative. This template, set against a professional blue background, is perfect for addressing topics related to pharmacology, drug production, and the world of medicine.

With its vibrant and colorful imagery, this template evokes the essence of pharmaceutical production and healthcare. It represents the diversity of medications, vitamins, and supplements available to meet various healthcare needs. From painkillers to nutritional supplements, “Pill Cocktail” covers a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical products.

medical school presentation topics

This template is ideal for presentations on pharmaceutical research, drug development, medical breakthroughs, and the significance of vitamins in maintaining well-being. The pill bottle graphic symbolizes the pharmaceutical industry’s role in providing essential medicines to improve health and alleviate suffering.

Incorporate this template into your presentations to deliver comprehensive insights into the pharmaceutical world, highlighting the importance of medications and supplements in healthcare. Engage your audience with visually appealing slides that underscore the variety and importance of these medical innovations.

Elevate your pharmaceutical presentations and emphasize the significance of diverse medications in maintaining health and well-being. Download our “Pill Cocktail” template today and empower your audience with knowledge about the world of pharmaceuticals and medicine.

Introducing the Signs of Medicine in Green Presentation Template!

Discover the soothing power of green with our “Signs of Medicine in Green” template, tailor-made for presentations on the vast world of healthcare, medical institutions, and the dedicated professionals who keep us healthy.

medical school presentation topics

This refreshing template bathes you in a sea of green, symbolizing health and vitality. It’s the ideal choice for presentations that cover medical facilities, clinics, hospitals, doctors, insurance, and more. The crisp design showcases a collection of essential medical icons, emphasizing the importance of healthcare in our lives.

With this template, you can effortlessly convey the significance of healthcare services, medical treatments, and the role of dedicated medical professionals. Whether you’re discussing cardiology, emergency services, or the importance of vaccinations, our “Signs of Medicine in Green” template provides a visually appealing backdrop for your content.

Step into the world of healthcare and inspire your audience with presentations that promote well-being and the importance of medical care. Share your knowledge and encourage others to prioritize their health.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with your audience and emphasize the importance of healthcare. Download the “Signs of Medicine in Green” template now and embark on a journey to promote a healthier world. Begin your healthcare discourse today!

Presenting the Nanotechnology in Medicine Presentation Template !

Explore the fascinating realm where science fiction intersects with reality in our “Nanotechnology in Medicine” template. This cutting-edge template is perfect for presentations that delve into the revolutionary impact of nanotechnology in the field of medicine and blood-related research.

medical school presentation topics

The template features a striking image of a nanobot, symbolizing the microscopic wonders of nanotechnology. It’s the ideal choice for presentations that delve into nanomedicine, genetic therapies, and the incredible potential of nanobots in medical treatments.

With this template, you can effectively convey the groundbreaking concepts behind nanotechnology, its applications in healthcare, and its potential to revolutionize disease treatment. Whether you’re discussing cancer research, blood cell manipulation, or advanced surgical techniques, our “Nanotechnology in Medicine” template provides an eye-catching backdrop for your content.

Step into the realm of scientific innovation and inspire your audience with presentations that showcase the limitless possibilities of nanotechnology in medicine. Share your insights and encourage others to explore the future of healthcare.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create presentations that highlight the intersection of science and medicine. Download the “Nanotechnology in Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to reveal the microscopic heroes shaping the future of healthcare. Start your nanotechnology discourse today!

Step into the world of contemporary healthcare with our Modern Medicine template , meticulously crafted for presentations covering medicine, medical assistance, healthcare institutions, and emergency services.

This dynamic template features a collage of healthcare-related images, reflecting the diverse facets of modern medicine. Whether you’re discussing pain management, antibiotics, chronic illnesses, or the crucial role of healthcare professionals, this template provides a visually engaging backdrop for your content.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the importance of healthcare in our lives, the advancements in medical treatments, and the dedication of medical professionals. Whether you’re addressing common ailments, the role of pharmaceuticals, or the challenges faced by healthcare providers, our “Modern Medicine” template is the perfect canvas for your message.

Join the conversation on healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of medical care. Share your expertise and encourage others to prioritize their health and well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Download the “Modern Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the advancements and challenges of modern healthcare. Begin your healthcare discourse today!

Unveil the essence of healthcare with our Medicine template , thoughtfully designed for presentations covering the vast spectrum of healthcare, medical practice, education, and scientific research.

This striking template features the iconic caduceus symbol on a sophisticated gray background, symbolizing the core of medicine. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore healthcare systems, medical education, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and groundbreaking research.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effortlessly convey the significance of healthcare, medical advancements, and the pivotal role of healthcare professionals. Whether you’re discussing breakthroughs in antibiotic research, healthcare icons, or the intricacies of medical procedures, our “Medicine” template provides an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for your content.

Step into the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of medical care. Share your expertise and encourage others to pursue the path of healthcare and scientific discovery.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Download the “Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the frontiers of healthcare and medical innovation. Begin your discourse on healthcare excellence today!

Dive into the shadowy world of illegal medicine with our Uncovering Illegal Medicine template , designed for presentations that delve into the darker side of healthcare, such as illicit drug trading and corrupt medical practices.

This impactful template features an image of a doctor with a pocket full of dollars, symbolizing the unethical and unlawful aspects of medicine. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that aim to expose corruption, financial fraud, and illegal activities within the healthcare industry.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the need to address issues related to bribery, extortion, and illegal organ transplants. Whether you’re discussing the consequences of illegal drugs or the impact of corrupt practices on healthcare, our “Uncovering Illegal Medicine” template provides a thought-provoking backdrop for your content.

Shed light on the hidden corners of healthcare and motivate your audience to take action against unethical practices. Share your insights and encourage others to promote transparency and accountability within the medical field.

Don’t miss the opportunity to create presentations that raise awareness about illegal medicine. Download the “Uncovering Illegal Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to address critical issues within the healthcare industry. Begin your discourse on healthcare ethics today!

From the very first glance at this template, its dedication to the fields of medicine, pharmacy, and healthcare becomes abundantly clear. The image of doctor hands carefully cradling an assortment of multicolored pills instantly encapsulates the essence of the presentation, conveying a powerful message to the audience, establishing trust, and earning recognition.

Set against a neutral beige background, this template is designed to resonate with healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and anyone involved in the pharmaceutical industry. The close-up view of the doctor’s hands holding medicine reflects a commitment to precision, care, and the importance of medical treatment.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the significance of pharmaceuticals, medical treatment, and the vital role played by healthcare providers. Whether you’re discussing drugstore management, pharmaceutical research, or the complexities of healthcare, our “Doctor Hands Holding Medicine” template provides a compelling backdrop for your content.

Navigate the realm of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that celebrate the dedication of medical professionals and the importance of pharmaceutical care. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize health and well-being.

Don’t miss the opportunity to create presentations that resonate with your audience, whether they are in the healthcare industry or simply seeking medical information. Download the “Doctor Hands Holding Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of medicine, pharmacy, and healthcare excellence. Begin your discourse on healthcare today!

Step into the world of pharmaceutical excellence with our Medicine Bottle template , meticulously designed to convey a sense of impartiality and a quest for innovative medical solutions. This template’s tranquil silver background signifies an unbiased approach to problem-solving, while the blue medicine bottle adds a soothing touch, igniting the imagination and promising coveted results.

This template is a visual ode to the latest developments in the medical field, a field crucial to humanity’s well-being. It is particularly well-suited for pharmaceutical and medical companies, offering a captivating backdrop for presentations that explore a wide range of medical topics.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the importance of pharmaceutical research, dosage precision, and the role of healthcare providers. Whether you’re discussing medication management, innovative drug development, or the challenges of healthcare, our “Medicine Bottle” template provides an eye-catching canvas for your content.

Delve into the realm of pharmaceutical innovation and inspire your audience with presentations that celebrate advancements in medicine and healthcare. Share your insights and encourage others to embrace innovative solutions for a healthier future.

Don’t miss the opportunity to create presentations that resonate with professionals in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, as well as those seeking medical information. Download the “Medicine Bottle” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare excellence. Begin your discourse on healthcare innovation today!

Step into the world of healthcare excellence with our Doctors of Medicine template , bathed in a beautiful light blue hue that radiates compassion and dedication. This captivating template features a diverse medical team, each member committed to nurturing and caring for those in need.

The image of doctors, medications, and medical instruments symbolizes the collaborative effort required in the field of healthcare. It’s an ideal choice for presentations that explore various facets of healthcare, including treatment, examination, laboratory investigations, and post-treatment care.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the importance of teamwork, expertise, and compassionate patient care. Whether you’re discussing medical research, diagnostic procedures, or the vital role of healthcare professionals, our “Doctors of Medicine” template provides a visually engaging backdrop for your content.

Celebrate the remarkable individuals in the healthcare field and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the profound impact of medical practice and research. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their health and well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals and those seeking medical knowledge. Download the “Doctors of Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of healthcare excellence. Begin your discourse on healthcare today!

Unlock the secrets of dental health with our Dental Medicine template , meticulously crafted to shine a spotlight on the world of dental care, stomatology, and the quest for healthy, radiant smiles.

This captivating template showcases a diligent dentist and state-of-the-art stomatology equipment, embodying the essence of oral health services. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore dental specialties, hygiene, dental clinics, and the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the significance of oral hygiene, dental treatments, and the role of dental professionals. Whether you’re discussing orthodontics, dental implants, or the importance of fluoride, our “Dental Medicine” template provides a visually appealing backdrop for your content.

Embark on a journey to promote dental health and inspire your audience with presentations that celebrate the importance of a radiant smile. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their oral health.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with dental professionals and those seeking guidance on oral hygiene. Download the “Dental Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of dental care and the pursuit of healthy, beautiful smiles. Begin your discourse on dental health today!

Step into the world of healthcare excellence with our Doctor of Medicine template , a versatile and dynamic choice for presentations that cover a broad spectrum of medical topics, including healthcare facilities, hospitals, clinics, medical professionals, and the quest for better health.

This template is adorned with a 3D medical professional, symbolizing the expertise and dedication of doctors in providing care and treatment. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore medical treatments, disease management, and the importance of healthcare providers in our lives.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the significance of comprehensive healthcare, the role of medical practitioners, and the pursuit of wellness. Whether you’re discussing medical insurance, diagnostic procedures, or the urgency of healthcare, our “Doctor of Medicine” template provides a visually engaging backdrop for your content.

Embrace the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that celebrate the tireless efforts of medical professionals and the importance of access to quality healthcare. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their health and well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals and individuals seeking medical knowledge. Download the “Doctor of Medicine” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of comprehensive healthcare. Begin your discourse on healthcare excellence today!

Delve into the world of pharmaceuticals with our Medicine in Tablets template , meticulously designed to serve as an illuminating illustration in presentations that cover the vast realm of pharmacology, medical treatments, and the science of drugs.

This engaging template features a palm adorned with two tablets, representing the essence of medical treatment. It’s the ideal choice for presentations that explore the world of medication, including antidepressants, painkillers, vitamins, and the importance of pharmaceutical care.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the significance of pharmacological advancements, medication management, and the role of healthcare professionals. Whether you’re discussing prescription drugs, drug interactions, or the importance of adhering to treatment regimens, our “Medicine in Tablets” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Immerse your audience in the world of pharmaceutical excellence and inspire them with presentations that emphasize the importance of responsible medication use. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their health and well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and individuals seeking knowledge about medications. Download the “Medicine in Tablets” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of pharmaceutical science. Begin your discourse on responsible medication use today!

Embark on a global journey through healthcare with our Global Medicine Concept template , meticulously crafted to convey a sense of tranquility, trust, and a commitment to addressing healthcare issues on a global scale.

This serene template, bathed in soothing blue and gray tones, inspires confidence and builds loyalty among your audience. At its core is a globe, prominently positioned at the center of the slide, symbolizing the worldwide healthcare challenges that demand honesty and openness in our approach. A stethoscope, a universal symbol of medical care, highlights the essence and urgency of the project.

medical school presentation topics

The “Global Medicine Concept” template is a perfect choice for presentations that explore healthcare initiatives, global medical challenges, and the importance of international collaboration in addressing health issues. Whether you’re discussing diagnostic technologies, healthcare measurements, or the need for a healthier world, this template provides a visually appealing backdrop for your content.

Navigate the world of global healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of unity and cooperation in addressing health challenges worldwide. Share your insights and encourage others to join the mission for a healthier planet.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals and global health advocates. Download the “Global Medicine Concept” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of global healthcare initiatives. Begin your discourse on global health today!

Introducing our Medical Prescription presentation template , designed to enhance your medical and healthcare-related presentations. This versatile template is the perfect choice for addressing a wide range of medical topics, from cardiology to pediatrics, scientific research to patient care.

This template features a professional design with a focus on the essential elements of the medical field. It includes imagery related to prescriptions, medical records, and healthcare documentation. The red accents symbolize urgency and attention to detail, which are crucial aspects of medical practice.

medical school presentation topics

Whether you’re discussing the intricacies of medical tests, treatment plans, or the role of physicians and pharmacists in patient care, this template has you covered. It’s suitable for presentations on healthcare facilities, insurance, medical career paths, and much more.

With its clean and organized layout, “Medical Prescription” ensures that your content is presented in a clear and visually appealing manner. The images of a doctor’s hand holding a prescription pad and writing with a pen convey the importance of accurate medical documentation.

Empower your audience with knowledge about the significance of prescriptions, healthcare documentation, and the role they play in effective patient care. Make your medical presentations more engaging and informative by using our “Medical Prescription” template. Download it today and take your medical presentations to the next level.

Presenting our First Aid Kit PowerPoint template , an excellent choice for your emergency medicine and medical assistance presentations. This professionally designed template is ideal for conveying critical information about first aid procedures, medical education, and the importance of having well-equipped first aid kits readily available.

The template features a clean and organized layout with a prominent blue color scheme symbolizing reliability and trustworthiness in emergency situations. It incorporates essential elements such as bandages, a medical cross, and a first aid kit, all of which underscore the importance of immediate medical attention in times of calamity or injury.

medical school presentation topics

Whether you’re addressing medical professionals, educating the public on first aid practices, or discussing the role of healthcare institutions in providing emergency care, this template has you covered. It’s also suitable for presentations on pharmacology, medication, and the healthcare industry.

With the “First Aid Kit” template, you can effectively communicate the significance of preparedness, safety, and quick response during medical emergencies. Emphasize the importance of having a well-stocked first aid kit and knowing how to use it to save lives.

Enhance your emergency medicine presentations and empower your audience with knowledge that can make a difference in critical situations. Download our “First Aid Kit” template today and create impactful presentations that emphasize the importance of medical preparedness and prompt action.

Step into the world of pediatric care with our Paediatrician template , thoughtfully designed for presentations that focus on children’s health, pediatricians, family doctors, and the well-being of our youngest patients.

This heartwarming template features a caring pediatrician and a cheerful little patient, symbolizing the essence of pediatric medicine and the dedication of healthcare providers who specialize in children’s health. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore children’s diseases, pediatric healthcare, and the importance of medical care tailored for kids.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the significance of pediatric medicine, the role of pediatricians in child wellness, and the importance of providing specialized medical care for young patients. Whether you’re discussing common childhood illnesses, pediatric treatments, or the nurturing approach of family doctors, our “Paediatrician” template provides a visually engaging backdrop for your content.

Step into the world of pediatric excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that celebrate the health and well-being of children. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize the care and happiness of our youngest generation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals and individuals seeking knowledge about children’s health. Download the “Paediatrician” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of pediatric medicine and the importance of nurturing young lives. Begin your discourse on children’s healthcare today!

Embark on a journey into the intricate world of the cardiovascular system with our Aortic Aneurysm template , meticulously crafted for presentations that delve into arterial aneurysms, heart diseases, cardiology, and the complexities of the human heart.

This comprehensive template is a visual roadmap of the cardiovascular system, featuring detailed diagrams and medical imagery that underscore the importance of cardiac health. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with aortic aneurysms and cardiovascular conditions.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the significance of cardiovascular health, the role of cardiology, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Whether you’re discussing angioplasty procedures, surgical treatments, or the need for cardiovascular care, our “Aortic Aneurysm” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Delve into the world of cardiac excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of heart health and medical advancements in cardiology. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their cardiovascular well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals and individuals seeking knowledge about heart diseases. Download the “Aortic Aneurysm” template now and embark on a journey to explore the intricate mysteries of the cardiovascular system. Begin your discourse on heart health today!

Introducing our Medical Tests In The Lab PowerPoint template , a visually appealing and informative choice for presentations on medical diagnostics, laboratory procedures, and cutting-edge healthcare advancements. This template showcases a clean and calming light blue-and-white color palette, reflecting professionalism and precision in the field of medical testing and research.

Featuring essential medical accessories like beakers, microscopes, and laboratory equipment, this template provides an ideal backdrop for discussing various topics related to medical tests, scientific experiments, and healthcare technology. Whether your presentation focuses on the development of pharmaceuticals, the study of microbiology, or the importance of diagnostic accuracy, this template sets the stage for impactful communication.

medical school presentation topics

The “Medical Tests In The Lab” template emphasizes the importance of scientific research and the role of laboratories in improving healthcare outcomes. It’s a perfect choice for professionals in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, educators, and researchers.

Engage your audience and convey complex medical concepts with clarity using this well-designed template. Demonstrate the significance of precise testing, experimentation, and the pursuit of knowledge to advance healthcare.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your medical presentations. Download our “Medical Tests In The Lab” template today and deliver compelling talks that highlight the critical role of laboratories and medical testing in healthcare advancements.

Take a bold stand against harmful habits with our Anti Smoking template , thoughtfully designed to serve as a powerful symbol of health advocacy, cancer prevention, and the fight against smoking-related illnesses.

This striking template features a pack of cigarettes adorned with a stark skull and bones picture, symbolizing the grave dangers of smoking. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore health care, oncology, cancer risk, anti-smoking campaigns, and the importance of tobacco legislation.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the pernicious effects of smoking, the hazardous nature of tobacco products, and the urgency of promoting a smoke-free lifestyle. Whether you’re discussing the dangers of nicotine addiction, the impact on public health, or the need for anti-smoking legislation, our “Anti Smoking” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Take a stand against smoking-related illnesses and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of quitting smoking and preventing future generations from falling victim to this harmful habit. Share your insights and encourage others to lead healthier, smoke-free lives.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with health professionals, advocacy groups, and individuals seeking to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. Download the “Anti Smoking” template now and embark on a journey to advocate for a smoke-free world. Begin your discourse on health advocacy today!

Unlock the world of healthcare with our Medical Care template , meticulously designed for presentations that cover medicine, medical care, treatment, ambulance services, medical programs, insurance, and the vital importance of heart health.

This comprehensive template showcases a collage of medical imagery, from healthcare professionals and instruments to heart rate monitoring and medical supplies. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore a wide spectrum of medical topics, from emergency care to medical research and disease diagnosis.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the significance of medical care, the dedication of healthcare professionals, and the importance of access to quality healthcare. Whether you’re discussing medical programs, insurance policies, or the need for first aid training, our “Medical Care” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Navigate the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that emphasize the importance of health advocacy and medical advancements. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their well-being and access to medical care.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals seeking knowledge about healthcare access. Download the “Medical Care” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of medical care and the quest for a healthier world. Begin your discourse on health today!

Unlock the essence of healthcare and the significance of time in making critical decisions with our Blue Cross and Chronometer template , thoughtfully crafted to underscore the importance of medicine, timely care, and healthcare providers.

This compelling template features a striking azure cross juxtaposed with a chronometer, symbolizing the urgency and precision of healthcare services. Against a serene gray background, it’s the perfect choice for presentations that focus on medical centers, healthcare companies, and the critical role of time in the field of medicine.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the importance of timely medical care, the dedication of healthcare professionals, and the urgent nature of emergency services. Whether you’re discussing medical supplies, prescription services, or the need for swift healthcare delivery, our “Blue Cross and Chronometer” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Navigate the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that underscore the importance of quick and effective medical services. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their well-being and access to timely healthcare.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking knowledge about the importance of timely care. Download the “Blue Cross and Chronometer” template now and embark on a journey to explore the world of healthcare and the value of time in saving lives. Begin your discourse on health today!

Explore the world of healthcare and digital diagnostics with our Health Check Diagnosis Concept template , thoughtfully designed to convey discernment, integrity, and serenity, key attributes in the field of medicine and health.

This captivating template showcases a businessman holding a tablet, symbolizing the fusion of technology and healthcare. Against a backdrop of serene blue, it’s the perfect choice for presentations that delve into medical diagnostics, health assessment, and the importance of digital tools in the healthcare industry.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively communicate the significance of digital health, the role of technology in medical diagnosis, and the future of healthcare through online platforms. Whether you’re discussing clinical assessments, electronic health records, or the benefits of telemedicine, our “Health Check Diagnosis Concept” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Embark on a journey into the world of healthcare innovation and inspire your audience with presentations that highlight the potential of digital diagnostics and the path to wellness. Share your insights and encourage others to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare for a healthier future.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals seeking knowledge about digital health. Download the “Health Check Diagnosis Concept” template now and embark on a journey to explore the limitless possibilities of health and technology. Begin your discourse on healthcare innovation today!

Delve into the world of medical treatment, diagnosis, and healthcare excellence with our Medical Diagnosis template , meticulously designed for presentations that cover doctors, clinics, hospitals, diseases, and the comprehensive field of medical care.

This versatile template offers a visual journey through the realm of healthcare, featuring images of medical instruments, pills, and a stethoscope. It’s the perfect choice for presentations that explore medical diagnosis, treatment options, and the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the importance of medical care, the dedication of doctors, and the significance of access to quality healthcare. Whether you’re discussing pharmaceutical advancements, therapeutic treatments, or the need for medical interventions, our “Medical Diagnosis” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Navigate the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that underscore the importance of health advocacy and medical advancements. Share your insights and encourage others to prioritize their well-being and access to medical care.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals seeking knowledge about medical diagnosis and treatment options. Download the “Medical Diagnosis” template now and embark on a journey to explore the comprehensive field of healthcare. Begin your discourse on health today!

Journey into the world of medicine, pharmacology, and healthcare innovation with our Infusion template , meticulously crafted in light yellow and blue hues, showcasing a doctor’s hands with a syringe filled with medicine. This template is the ideal choice for presentations that encompass a wide spectrum of medical topics, from drug discovery and pharmacology to healthcare and scientific research.

The imagery of a doctor holding a syringe symbolizes the precision and dedication of healthcare professionals in administering medical aid. Against the backdrop of light yellow and blue, it emphasizes the importance of medical treatment, laboratory research, and healthcare excellence.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the significance of medical advancements, the role of pharmacology in healthcare, and the need for scientific research in addressing medical problems and diseases. Whether you’re discussing vaccination programs, drug discovery, or medical tests, our “Infusion” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Embark on a journey into the world of healthcare excellence and inspire your audience with presentations that highlight the importance of medical research, treatment options, and the quest for healthier lives. Share your insights and encourage others to explore the limitless possibilities of healthcare innovation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals seeking knowledge about medical advancements. Download the “Infusion” template now and embark on a journey to explore the fascinating world of healthcare. Begin your discourse on health today!

Introducing our Surgical Instruments PowerPoint template , a versatile and essential tool for medical professionals, educators, and researchers. This template features a collection of essential surgical instruments and equipment against a clean and calming blue backdrop.

Designed to enhance various medical presentations, this template is ideal for discussions on medicine, surgical procedures, healthcare, clinics, emergency services, and life-saving interventions such as surgery, reanimation, resuscitation, and organ transplantation.

medical school presentation topics

The “Surgical Instruments” template emphasizes the precision and expertise required in surgical and medical practices. It offers a visual representation of the tools used by surgeons and medical teams to provide exceptional patient care and conduct complex procedures.

Whether you’re educating future medical professionals, presenting groundbreaking surgical techniques, or discussing the importance of advanced medical technology, this template provides a professional and informative platform.

Engage your audience and underscore the significance of surgical precision, patient well-being, and the advancements in the field of medicine. Download our “Surgical Instruments” template now and deliver impactful presentations that highlight the critical role of surgical instruments in saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes.

Prepare for an exploration of the world of medicine, treatment, and emergency healthcare with our First Aid Car template . Crafted in a harmonious blend of blue, white, and brown colors, this template features an ambulance and dedicated medical staff, making it an ideal choice for presentations that span a wide spectrum of healthcare topics.

The imagery of a first aid car and healthcare professionals embodies the spirit of reliability and prompt response in times of medical emergencies. Against a backdrop of blue, white, and brown, it emphasizes the importance of emergency care, healthcare facilities, and medical operations.

medical school presentation topics

With this template, you can effectively convey the significance of first aid, emergency medical services, and the dedication of healthcare teams. Whether you’re discussing trauma care, surgical procedures, or the crucial role of paramedics, our “First Aid Car” template provides a visually compelling backdrop for your content.

Navigate the world of lifesaving care and inspire your audience with presentations that highlight the importance of prompt medical attention and the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals. Share your insights and encourage others to recognize the value of timely healthcare services.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create presentations that resonate with healthcare practitioners, emergency responders, and individuals seeking knowledge about emergency care and medical services. Download the “First Aid Car” template now and embark on a journey to explore the vital realm of emergency healthcare. Begin your discourse on lifesaving care today!

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Blue Minimalistic Medical Technology Breakthroughs Slides - slide 1

Blue Minimalistic Medical Technology Breakthroughs Slides

Basic Corporate Formal

Modern Green Gradient Healthcare Professional Slides - slide 1

Modern Green Gradient Healthcare Professional Slides

Brand Guidelines Branding Business

Blue Simple Gradient Professional Medical Center Slides - slide 1

Blue Simple Gradient Professional Medical Center Slides

About Me About Us Agenda Animated

Cute Pastel Medical-Surgical Nursing Slides - slide 1

Cute Pastel Medical-Surgical Nursing Slides

Cute Doctor Doodles

Illustrated First Aid & Medicine Life Skills Red Slides - slide 1

Illustrated First Aid & Medicine Life Skills Red Slides

Biotech First Aid Hospital

Illustrated Breast Cancer Healthcare Center Slides - slide 1

Illustrated Breast Cancer Healthcare Center Slides

About Me About Us Agenda Avatar

Pastel Illustrations and Doodles Healthcare Center Slides - slide 1

Pastel Illustrations and Doodles Healthcare Center Slides

About Me About Us Advertising Agenda

Blue and Yellow Illustrative Animated Mental Health Slides - slide 1

Blue and Yellow Illustrative Animated Mental Health Slides

Muted Green Minimal Geometric Wellness and Retreat Business Slides - slide 1

Muted Green Minimal Geometric Wellness and Retreat Business Slides

About Me About Us Advertising Agency

Blue Green Non Profit Hospital Professional Slides - slide 1

Blue Green Non Profit Hospital Professional Slides

Abstract Aesthetic Black

Illustrated Medical Interactive Agenda Slides - slide 1

Illustrated Medical Interactive Agenda Slides

Agenda Blue Business

Blue Medical Slides - slide 1

Blue Medical Slides

Background Bar Chart Biology

Professional Hospital Staff Onboarding - slide 1

Professional Hospital Staff Onboarding

Corporate Doctor Gradient

Simple Pharmaceutical Market Research Slides - slide 1

Simple Pharmaceutical Market Research Slides

Business Doctor Gradient

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Illustrated Big Data In Healthcare Slides

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Aquatic and Physical Therapy Center presentation template

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medical school presentation topics

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Aquatic and physical therapy center.

The way we present our company says a lot about it. This time we bring you a perfect template for aquatic therapy centers. Its background is white, which contrasts with the waves in blue and gray tones, simulating the movement of water. Edit the graphics, show your milestones and explain...

Cream & Pastel Palette Healthcare Center Characters presentation template

Cream & Pastel Palette Healthcare Center Characters

Let us introduce you to a new way of presenting healthcare centers. Did you think that we were going to use blue? Tut-tut! This time, the palette revolves around cream (the color of the backgrounds) and other pastel tones. As you explain in detail (or in brief) your healthcare services,...

Hand Drawn Style Healthcare Center presentation template

Hand Drawn Style Healthcare Center

If you need to present a healthcare center, the overall aesthetic you might be looking for is something peaceful and pretty. Something that makes your center look approachable and safe. In that case, we have the perfect template for you! These slides will make your presentation super calm and attractive:...

Clinical Case 06-2025 presentation template

Clinical Case 06-2025

Slidesgo is back with a new free medical template, perfect for a presentation about a clinical case. The design is very appealing, so these slides are a nice tool to provide a lot of useful information for doctors and researchers.

Alcoholism Treatment Drugs Breakthrough presentation template

Alcoholism Treatment Drugs Breakthrough

Drug addictions are a difficult condition to treat, but thanks to the investigations and studies conducted by health professionals, new breakthroughs are appearing to help people who suffer them. Speak about it with this visual design for breakthrough news and share the treatment you have discovered with the medical community!...

Computed Tomography Breakthrough presentation template

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Computed Tomography Breakthrough

Experience the avant-garde of technology with a computed tomography breakthrough. Present a breakthrough with this vivid infographics of soft colors and cool illustrations of computed tomography. Its easy-to-navigate functionality lets you explore new frontiers in diagnostics. Make this breakthrough an integral part of your healthcare solution and navigate the future...

Hospital Labs presentation template

Hospital Labs

How many blood tests have you undergone in your life? Probably too many to count. Where do those samples of blood go? To the lab! These labs are equipped with advanced technology and skilled professionals who work tirelessly to analyze samples and provide accurate results, but that's not the only...

Healthcare Center Website presentation template

Healthcare Center Website

Does your healthcare center have a website? Nowadays it’s a very important part of healthcare, because lots of patients reach their doctors and specialists online, so having a well-designed website is a vital factor for the viability of your hospital. This template looks like an online page full of medical...

Indian Doctor’s Day presentation template

Indian Doctor’s Day

July 1st is a very important day in India. This day is dedicated to celebrate the importance of the people that work everyday in order to keep everyone safe and healthy: doctors! But why this date? July 1st is the birthday of India’s most famous physician, Bidhan Chandra Roy. Speak...

Clinical Case 01-2023 presentation template

Clinical Case 01-2023

Present your clinical case to the medical community with this dynamic and engaging presentation by Slidesgo. Who said science can’t be creative and fun?

Taking Care of Heart Diseases presentation template

Taking Care of Heart Diseases

Download the "Taking Care of Heart Diseases" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Taking care of yourself and of those around you is key! By learning about various illnesses and how they are spread, people can get a better understanding of them and make informed decisions about eating, exercise, and...

Being Hospitalized presentation template

Being Hospitalized

We hope you never require hospitalization. That would mean that you have a healthy life and dodged any kind of injury! But many people require being hospitalized for a multitude of reasons. Their stay might be a reason to be stressed out, but explaining the procedures and information in general...

Animated Healthcare Center

Just like how at Slidesgo we work with the best professional designers to create great templates, you can use this one to show how your healthcare center has the best doctors to treat patients. The design is simple and elegant, and makes use of animated illustrations from Storyset, one of...

Breathing Issues presentation template

Breathing Issues

Download the Breathing Issues presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Taking care of yourself and of those around you is key! By learning about various illnesses and how they are spread, people can get a better understanding of them and make informed decisions about eating, exercise, and seeking medical attention....

Doodle Style Medical Breakthrough presentation template

Doodle Style Medical Breakthrough

Communicating medical breakthroughs to a wide audience can be challenging - but the right presentation template makes it easier! With a medical breakthrough revolved presentation template for Google Slides & PowerPoint, showcasing your project to the world just became a breeze. This template uses creative doodles to illustrate complex medical...

Medical Collaboration Research presentation template

Medical Collaboration Research

Download the "Medical Collaboration Research" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Gone are the days of dreary, unproductive meetings. Check out this sophisticated solution that offers you an innovative approach to planning and implementing meetings! Detailed yet simplified, this template ensures everyone is on the same page, contributing to a...

Dealing With Stress presentation template

Dealing With Stress

Download the "Dealing With Stress" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Healthcare goes beyond curing patients and combating illnesses. Raising awareness about diseases, informing people about prevention methods, discussing some good practices, or even talking about a balanced diet—there are many topics related to medicine that you could be sharing...

Postoperative Pain Clinical Case presentation template

Postoperative Pain Clinical Case

Postoperative pain is a relatively common occurrence for those who have undergone a surgical procedure. While the pain can range from mild discomfort to severe throbbing, it is important to manage it effectively in order to promote a speedy recovery. This template, created for presenting clinical cases, gives you an...

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COMMENTS

  1. Presentation Skills Toolkit for Medical Students

    The ability to design and deliver an effective presentation is an important skill for all learners to develop. The Undergraduate Medical Education Section of the Group on Educational Affairs developed this toolkit as a resource for medical students and health professions trainees as you learn to create and give effective presentations in the classroom, in the clinical setting, and at academic ...

  2. UC San Diego's Practical Guide to Clinical Medicine

    Key elements of each presentation type are described below. Examples of how these would be applied to most situations are provided in italics. The formats are typical of presentations done for internal medicine services and clinics. Note that there is an acceptable range of how oral presentations can be delivered.

  3. How to Give an Excellent Medical Presentation

    After building up the background, address how you arrived at your research question. The most exciting part of your presentation should be explaining your conclusions and the path you took to get there. Finish up strong by discussing the implications of your findings and how they will have an impact in the field.

  4. PDF Guidelines for Oral Presentations

    The oral presentation is a critically important skill for medical providers in communicating patient care wither other providers. It differs from a patient write-up in that it is shorter and more focused, providing what the listeners need to know rather than providing a comprehensive history that the write-up provides.

  5. 5 keys to help medical students sharpen their presentations

    When it comes the actual presentation be sure to make eye contact. Speak clearly: Don't be too quiet or speak in a monotone. Be sure to emphasize the most important parts of your presentation and pause between important points to let the data sink in. Be aware of body language: Smile, maintain an upright but relaxed posture, and avoid tapping ...

  6. 6 Easy Steps to Create an Effective and Engaging Medical Presentation

    In short: getting the presentation design right is just as important as delivering it well. Here's how to create an effective and engaging medical presentation — without wasting hours on PowerPoint! Simple is better. Be wise with your color choice. Don't overcrowd slides with text.

  7. Presentations at Medical School: Top Tips

    I hope that some of the tips below will help you, so you can make the most of any presentations you deliver at medical school. 1. Talk about something you're interested in. Sometimes you are assigned a topic to present, but if you aren't, choose something you will enjoy researching. If you care about your subject, your enthusiasm will look ...

  8. Poster presentation 101: Make your work stand out at a conference

    For medical students looking to gain insight on the research process and the work their peers are doing, the 2023 AMA Research Challenge virtual poster symposium and semifinals takes place Oct. 18-20. The event offers the opportunity to explore research in a variety of topics and specialties, provide advice and feedback, and score posters to help decide the five finalists who will compete ...

  9. Effective Presentations in Medical Education

    The purpose of this article is to introduce effective presentations, which have a set of key qualities: they are appealing, engaging, informative, and concise. Effective presentations gain attention and captivate the audience, but most importantly, they convey information and ideas memorably. Using evidence-based principles in educational ...

  10. How medical students can thrive when making a presentation

    Medical students will have academic opportunities to present research that come up through the course of training, such as presenting a case or a putting together a slide deck and oral presentation on a disease. Presenting research is a natural evolution of that public speaking and lecture skill set. Dr. Marsh said that in any presentation ...

  11. How to Skillfully Present Patients in Medical School

    S tep-By-Step Approach To Presenting Patients in Medical School Master the One-Liner. Your one-liner will tell the resident if they should take your presentation seriously or not. The same way a great singer grabs your attention with their first note, you have to impress with a solid one-liner. Here's how to do it.

  12. How To Present a Patient: A Step-To-Step Guide

    The ability to deliver oral case presentations is a core skill for any physician. Effective oral case presentations help facilitate information transfer among physicians and are essential to delivering quality patient care. Oral case presentations are also a key component of how medical students and residents are assessed during their training.

  13. 77 Exciting Medical Research Topics (2024)

    Since 2020, COVID-19 has been a hot-button topic in medicine, along with the long-term symptoms in those with a history of COVID-19. Examples of COVID-19-related research topics worth exploring include: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac and respiratory health. COVID-19 vaccination rates.

  14. List of 200+ Healthcare & Medical Presentation Topics

    Water and community health. When to Call 911. Women's Health. Work Injury Management. Working environment and community health. Worksite Wellness. Xenobiotics. Yoga in health and disease. Hope this list of healthcare and medical presentation topics will help you prepare stunning presentations for school, college and other power-point ...

  15. A medical student's first patient presentation

    A medical student's first patient presentation. Ton La, Jr., MD, JD. Education. May 18, 2019. 6. In medical school, you're not taught how to give stellar patient presentations. Yes, you're shown the traditional order of things: "Give an effective one-liner first, then tell the HPI [history of present illness] but only give pertinent ...

  16. Medical Students Topics

    All Medscape Topics. A. Acne. Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) Acute Leukemia. ADHD. Adolescent Medicine. Aesthetic Medicine. Affordable Care Act (ACA)

  17. 30 Top Medical Presentation Ideas

    3. Medical Practitioner. Introducing our Medical Practitioner presentation template, a powerful resource designed to enhance your medical and healthcare-related presentations. This template features a confident and dedicated doctor at the forefront, symbolizing expertise and trust in the field of medicine.

  18. How should I prepare a topic presentation for my attending?

    Alright, there's lots of good information here for a good 5 minute chalk talk so to summarize: Define the disease possibly incorporate a case you had, and other things which should be on your differential. Summarize some stuff on uptodate. include any relevant trials. Labs/management.

  19. Medical Powerpoint Templates and Google Slides Themes

    To make a medical presentation, first consider two things: 1) what medical information or message you want your audience to receive and 2) what you want them to do. Next, choose the best medical template for the job. Finally, prepare for your presentation by practicing your talking points.

  20. Good presentation topics for Internal Medicine? : r/medicalschool

    Calcium balance is always a good one. Also, attendings seem to love the whole hypercalcemia treatment order. 1. Fluids, 2 fluids, 3 fluids, 4 correct etiology (just kidding, more fluids) Reply More replies. bajastapler. •. If i was an attneding id b pissed if some shit stain med student gave me a mc test. Reply More replies.

  21. For those of you that rock oral presentations...[Clinical]

    One extremely crucial aspect of the presentation is how you present: your tone, posture, voice, it all matters. Sit up straight (seriously), talk clearly, etc. Again, you're trying to convince the attending that you're right, it's much easier to do if you sound like you know you are right. 10. imnosouperman.

  22. Free Medical Google Slides themes and PowerPoint templates

    Download the DNA Chain Backgrounds Medical Theme presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Healthcare goes beyond curing patients and combating illnesses. Raising awareness about diseases, informing people about prevention methods, discussing some good practices, or even talking about a balanced diet—there are many topics related to ...

  23. 2024 State of the Schools Presentation

    2024 State of the Schools Presentation. September 10, 2024 / State of the Schools, Superintendent Tim Forson, Top News. Filter News by Type of Media. ... Videos; Presentations; Filter News by Topic. Awards & Recognitions; School Board Meetings; View the Complete List of Topics; Filter News by Month

  24. 4 tips to find enriching medical student leadership opportunities

    Medical students have a place in shaping the future of medicine through the AMA. For medical students looking to hone their leadership skills, the AMA offers the chance to distinguish yourself through more than 1,000 leadership opportunities and skill building through online training modules, project-based learning and more. A faculty member and current attending physician offered some ...