How to Present a Patient

“It’s good to talk”

Sabih Huq

Clinical Pharmacology/General Medicine

Professional Communication

‘engaging in an activity as a means of livelihood’‘extremely competent in a job’

‘the imparting or exchange of information, ideas or feelings’

• your job will depend on it

Outline

• be aware of the importance of professional communication

• have a format for presentations• understand the elements of a good presentation in

terms of content & process• be aware of strategies for improvement

Who & Where?

• admissions GPs• post-take ward round• business ward rounds• “hand overs”• diagnostics• discharge

SHO/SpRConsultant

Cons./SpR

SHO/HO

radiology/biochem/haem

GPs

Why?

• SO THAT PEOPLE GET BETTER• correct diagnosis = correct treatment• more efficient & less pain!

• judgment on ability

How?

• EFFECTIVE & ECONOMICAL• clear, relevant information• easy to assimilate (logical)• economy = style

Structure

• How should a presentation be structured?

• pairs - 4 minutes

A Structure

1. The Headlines

• demographics, PC, circumstances2. News in Detail

• HPC, relevant PMH, DH, FH, personal & social history

• examination findings: general & specific3. Main Stories Again

• diagnosis, aetiololgy, severity, treatment

Content

• different circumstances: why are you talking?

• different people do it in different ways

• clinical assessment: knowledge & experience

• history-taking is an advanced skill

Novice v. Expert strategies

Dating for Exams

• first impressions

• method of referral

Editing the News

• transmit information that:

• helps make the diagnosis• establishes severity

• illuminates aetiology• other things relevant to management & outcome

Exercise

• analyse presentation:

CONTENT: good things bad things

PROCESS: good things bad things

• 3 minutes

Communication

• 25% verbal therefore. . .

• posture / hands

• eye contact

• pitch: singing Scots

• volume

• emphasis

Don’t be nervous

• know the room

• know the audience

• know the material

• learn to relax

• visualise yourself speaking

• concentrate on message

• gain experience

Room for Improvement

• ongoing process

• practice on your own: mirror / scripts• video logbook• courses