Tips for end of rotation presentations

[Gfunk6]

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It's that time of year again. After working your tail off for a month as an MSIV, it's time to give the dreaded end of rotation presentation. Here a few tips that I hope others will find helpful:

What you SHOULD NOT do
1. Talk about a very common form of cancer (e.g. breast, prostate, lung, etc.); your goal should be to inform your audience on an interesting topic; these don't fit the bill.

2. Have very busy slides; I know it is tempting but avoid putting the results of 20 different studies on one slide and then start off with, "I know this is a busy slide . . ." Well if you thought it was busy and no one could read it, then why put it up in the first place?

3. Present without faculty input; whatever your talk is about, it's a good idea to latch on to a faculty mentor and ask them to review your presentation for accuracy (don't do this the day before your talk!!)

What you SHOULD do
1. Talk about your research (it is a big plus if you performed said research at the same institution where you are rotating); any research is good to present -- clinical, physics, basic . . .

2. If you are going to talk about M&M or a rare form of cancer always do so in the context of one or more case studies (mandatory for M&M obviously).

3. Practice your talk ahead of time using the same projection equipment if possible; the last thing you want is an unreadable font or impossible to see text.

Random tips
1. As a general rule, it is usually better to talk about something you did/experienced at your rotating institution.

2. It is controversial to perform the same talk at different rotations. IMO, if you are talking about research it is probably okay to repeat but o/w be cautious.

3. In general it is good form to thank the residents/faculty/staff at the end of your talk.

4. Be wary when presenting controversial topics. For instance, don't talk about how protons are a monumental waste of money if the program has protons. Ask the residents/faculty if in doubt.

5. It is a good idea to give handouts to your talk so that your audience can follow along.

6. If somone asks you a question that you can't answer, don't BS. Tell them you will look it up and get back to them (by email if you are already @ your last day) -- it will look good.

7. Solicit the residents for their opinions on (a) good topics and (b) appropriate faculty mentors for your talk.

Good luck!

 

[stephew]

I dont agree that a "common" topic is a bad topic. You might focus on a interesting point within it. BOth breast and prostate are rife with good examples. Like RT for DCIS or various theories about hormone or chemo use in prostate.

 

[clintpark]

I dont agree that a "common" topic is a bad topic. You might focus on a interesting point within it. BOth breast and prostate are rife with good examples. Like RT for DCIS or various theories about hormone or chemo use in prostate.

I am with Steph on this one... again.

If you have your own research, definitely present that. Otherwise, present a clinical case you saw during your rotation... Make sure to talk to residents or attendings so that you can narrow down the scope of the talk. Do not try to cover the whole disease in one hour. Talking with residents will help ensure that the topic that interests you has a good evidence, but not overwhelming amount... I'd say 2 - 3 prospective randomized trials discussed in depth with some background, etc. I'd try to avoid an uncommon disease where all the evidence comes from a few case series here and there.

For example, a medical student who rotated with us recently wanted to do a talk on glomus tumor. I helped him pick a new topic and he ended up doing a presentation on adjuvant (vs. salvage) radiotherapy of prostate cancer after a prostatectomy. A very common disease but a specific focus. He only needed to review a couple of papers and did a very good job.

 

[Thaiger75]

I would have to agree for the most part with clint and steph. The danger with picky a common topic if it's TOO broad is opening yourself up to things and issues that students may not have experience in answering. Picking a narrow focus on a common site is a good way to go (ie. salvage for prostate). Although I've seen it done very well, take caution when tackling a controversial topic (such as postop chemorads for pancreas or chemorads for esophageal) where the data are not that great and can be confusing if not analyzed appropriately. Like I said, I've seen it done well before, and I've seen it where the student gets pummeled if they don't know the real "issues". Using the residents as resources is a valuable asset.

Doing a talk on a rare disease may make you look like an expert in the subject and is a safe way to go....it's unlikely that someone will grill you too much on something like that. If you do a narrow topic on a common site and do it well on the level of a resident...those are the times that make you seem impressive and stand out....basically, you're showing that you are capable and competent of knowing the issues and interpreting the data as a future resident. And that says alot about you as a potential candidate.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I purposely chose common tumors..primarily for selfish reasons. As a medical student, I just don't think it makes a lot of sense to pick some rare disease when you haven't even grasped the basics. You might be doing your attendings and residents a favor, but yourself a dis-service. It's kind of putting the cart before the horse in my opinion. In choosing your topic, don't forget you will be spending a collosal amount of time preparing your presentation..if I was going to sink that much time into something, I personally preferred to have it pay off by helping me understand better the diseases I will see everyday. I think you can still impress people with common topics and I personally think you'll get more out of it.

 

[Brim]

Don't present on a topic that an attending in the audience is a world expert on and not know your stuff. Be prepared for lots of questions from said attending about their own research on that topic. Read their research. You don't have to become an expert at it, but know the salient points.

Better yet, pick a topic that all attendings in the audience know little or nothing about. Being esoteric can give you an advantage.

Humor is a definite plus.

 

[stephew]

er, well, sparingly used humor. dont be a comedian. a light touch is good. a bad emcee is not.

Don't present on a topic that an attending in the audience is a world expert on and not know your stuff. Be prepared for lots of questions from said attending about their own research on that topic. Read their research. You don't have to become an expert at it, but know the salient points.

Better yet, pick a topic that all attendings in the audience know little or nothing about. Being esoteric can give you an advantage.

Humor is a definite plus.

 

[IRISH22]

so far I have only done only a rotation at my home program and gave a presntation on a "common" topic (breast). So...are you saying it would be a bad idea for me to use this same talk (maybe with some modifications) when I do my away rotation next month? I mean this may be a common topic, but I am focusing on a very specific sub-topic (ie, not just talking all about the site) with its own set of literature. Additionally, I am currently working on a project that ties in very well. I thought it would give me a springboard to dicuss some elements of my reserach expereince, if asked.

advice?

also, as an aside: should I email the extern coordinator ahead of time and ask to give a presntation? Or do most programs schedule students even if they dont ask to give a talk?

 

[Thaiger75]

so far I have only done only a rotation at my home program and gave a presntation on a "common" topic (breast). So...are you saying it would be a bad idea for me to use this same talk (maybe with some modifications) when I do my away rotation next month? I mean this may be a common topic, but I am focusing on a very specific sub-topic (ie, not just talking all about the site) with its own set of literature. Additionally, I am currently working on a project that ties in very well. I thought it would give me a springboard to dicuss some elements of my reserach expereince, if asked.

advice?

also, as an aside: should I email the extern coordinator ahead of time and ask to give a presntation? Or do most programs schedule students even if they dont ask to give a talk?

I think it's perfectly fine to recycle your presentation for an away rotation. If you do that, I would somehow throw in what prompted you to do this topic, ie. I saw a patient during this rotation etc....

I don't think it's necessary to contact them ahead of time. You can just ask them once you get there.