In our opinion, the best reason to develop oral presentation skills is to facilitate the communication of accurate, concise patient information between professionals. Clinicians frequently discuss patients with colleagues and consultants. These discussions are often informal and subject to time limitations. They may occur in hallways or over the telephone. Long oral presentations (especially if they are read) tend to bore listeners. For these reasons, we favor the use of short "capsule" oral presentations. On the other hand, the written data base should be more detailed and comprehensive.

Rationale

• To document the student's data collection and clinical reasoning process.
• To provide practice in the oral communication of accurate, concise patient information between professionals.

Evaluation Criteria

• General
  • Presentation is oral, not read!
  • Good eye contact.
  • Not longer than 5-7 minutes.
• Database
  • Patient is adequately identified.
  • Chief complaint or reason for admission is clearly stated in one sentence.
  • HPI is chronological, includes appropriate positive and negative data, and includes information as to how the illness has impacted the patient's life.
  • Remainder of the history is organized, concise, and includes significant data.
  • The patient's general appearance and vital signs are adequately described.
  • The remainder of the physical exam is organized, but concise, and describes significant findings.
  • Significant laboratory and radiographic data are included if available.
  • Data not directly related to active problems should be omitted.
    
• Problem List
  • The problem list is accurate.
  • Problems are prioritized.
  • Problems are labelled as specifically as possible (to the highest degree of resolution), while avoiding premature diagnostic closure.
• Plan of Action
  • The plan is problem-based.
  • Emphasis is placed on the presenting or primary problem.