International Pain School

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how to avoid lecture disasters A good presentation

Type in the name of your institution

Lecture Evaluation: it was a disaster

• incompatible USB stick or file• no introduction• boring language• annoying body language• exceeding time allotted • no take home message

So you start with ‘First slide, please …’• And then it can be:

• Sorry, I’m not sure how to forward

my presentation…

• Sorry, these slides are probably not readable…

• Äh … the next slide is about…

• Äh … so that was my last slide.

The First Slide, Please …

• Damage I: medical science & your message

• Damage II: congress hosts

• Damage III: embarrassing yourself

• Damage IV: audience

(travel, admission costs, time:

500 x 25 min = > 1 months‘

work)

The First Slide, Please …

• Goals of lecturer I:

„In this talk I intend to focus on xyz to promote

your understanding of, e.g., a topic in

physiology and/or clinical practice.“

• Goals of lecturer II:

„See how clever I am, the topic of today‘s

presentation is complex.“

decide which you would like to be …

The First Slide, Please …

• Lecture Timing with Mark Twain:

• after 5 min I wanted to donate 1 US$• after another 5 min 5 US$• after 30 min nothing• after 60 min I took 5 US$ from the donation

basket

• again, make your decision …

Phases in preparing your presentation

• Well before the lecture• Immediately before the lecture• At the time of the lecture• End of lecture

Phase I: Well before the lecture

• Know your topic:

1. why it is important

2. what is my own message

3. try to find new insights about the topic

4. present key evidence

• Match the contents and duration of your presentation to:

1. time allotted to you

2. knowledge of audience

-> find this out in advance.

Period I: don’t not loose the audience Maintain a match

between the audience’s

interests and level of

knowledge and your

talk

Bad

Very bad

Good

Period I: planning your lecture

• Learn the common theme by heart• Practice with a written manuscript of

your presentation• Practice your talk within the department or

with colleagues • Prepare a print-out of your presentation,

highlighting keywords, helping you to move

from one slide to the next

Period I: planning your slides

• Rule of 5 x 7 x 90

• Allocation of time• 10% on the Introduction • 80% on the Main Part • 10% on the Summary

Period I: planning your slides

Sorry,

I’ve just came from

Japan and had

no time to translate

my slides for you …

Period I: avoid Christmas trees …

Period I: formatting

• Graphics: yellow text on blue background or

black on white or grey

• Avoid gimmicks !

Period II: Immediately before the lecture

• Choose proper clothing • Inspect technical equipment and situation• Have Plan B ready• Prepare time control

Period III: the lecture itself

• Proper Introduction

a) Start with a short silence, “8”

b) Start funny, local or paradox

c) Do not start with the Romans• Then first slide and darkening room• Keep fluent rhythm, avoid accelerating speed• Announce the last slide(s)• Finish in free speech with a clearly structured

slide.

Period III tools: Laser pointer

Period III tools: manuscript

If your talk is written

out – have the text on

separate sheets, don‘t

stable them together

Period III: Language & Body Language• Voice • Open gestures• Facial expression • Posture• Figuratively underline your words• Maintain eye contact with the audience• Never ever apologize

If disaster happens …

• Use Plan B• Stay calm• Avoid blaming someone else

• Be a Disaster-Master and GO ON

Period IV: After the Lecture

• Leave the final slide on the screen• Allow the person asking a question to

finish talking• Praise the questioner• Indicate that this is your perspective of the

topic; not a summary from textbooks. Admit to

gaps in your knowledge• Use positive dialectics

Last but not least:your Take Home Message

• P Prepare (audience expectations);• P Practice (time management, performance);• P Printed Presentation (for emergencies);• I Introduction (catching and re-catching); • T Take Home Message (not “summary”).

Final comment …

Don´t forget to enjoy the applause after giving a

well-made presentation …

This talk was prepared originally by:

Golschan Asgarpur, MD

Berlin, Germany

Talks in the International Pain School include the following:

International Pain School

Physiology and pathophysiology of pain Nilesh Patel, PhD, Kenya

Assessment of pain & taking a pain historyYohannes Woubished, M.D, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Clinical pharmacology of analgesicsand non-pharmacological treatments

Ramani Vijayan, M.D. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Postoperative – low technology treatment methodsDominique Fletcher, M.D, Garches & Xavier Lassalle, RN, MSF, Paris, France

Postoperative– high treatment technology methodsNarinder Rawal, M.D. PhD, FRCA(Hon), Orebro, Sweden

Cancer pain– low technology treatment methods Barbara Kleinmann, MD, Freiburg, Germany

Cancer pain– high technology treatment methodsJamie Laubisch MD, Justin Baker MD, Doralina Anghelescu MD, Memphis, USA

Palliative CareJamie Laubisch MD, Justin Baker MD, Memphis, USA

Neuropathic pain - low technology treatment methodsMaija Haanpää, MD, Helsinki & Aki Hietaharju, Tampere, Finland

Neuropathic pain – high technology treatment methodsMaija Haanpää, M.D., Helsinki & Aki Hietaharju, M.D., Tampere, Finland

Psychological aspects of managing pain Etleva Gjoni, Germany

Special Management Challenges: Chronic pain, addiction and dependence, old age and dementia, obstetrics and lactation

Debra Gordon, RN, DNP, FAAN, Seattle, USA

International Pain School

The project is supported by these organizations: