Presenting a tough topic? "Best Practices" FOR Any Medical Presentation

Whenever I face a crowd of doctors, I like to stir things up by asking, "Who here has survived a snooze-inducing medical lecture or talk?" Inevitably, every hand will be raised in response. After all, how can we possibly walk through an entire medical career without a few boring lectures or long afternoons in a conference center with titles like "Advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and its associated factors among adult cancer patients at [INSERT NAME HERE] comprehensive specialized hospitals, [INSERT PLACE HERE] 2024?

By Michael Tetreault, Editor, Concierge Medicine Today, Author and SpeakerWant to be a better public speaker? Let me clue you in on one of the secrets of the trade that most people don’t talk about. While you might rock at comforting patients, facing a crowd can be nerve-wracking. So, whether you're gearing up for a major medical lecture, a podcast feature, or a presentation to peers, here are some pro tips that have helped me out countless times before walking up on stage.Ever wondered what secrets those elusive healthcare speakers hold? As a veteran medical conference organizer and speaker, I've gathered a treasure trove of tips from some amazing people in healthcare over my two-decade journey that could be your ticket to success. Here they come:1. Roughly 99% of [PHYSICIANS] public speakers ruin their speeches in the first sentence. There's usually a reason why at the end of a presentation (and we've all been there!), that when you ask for questions, no one raises their hand. Why? It's not because you did a good job explaining the subject matter. It's because they usually don't want to be stuck listening to any more of the presentation. Just as you quietly hope no one raises their hand, you slink back in your chair and feel sorry all at the same time for the presenter because you know there was a disconnect between the audience, the speaker and the presentation.Most medical presentations and presenters' introductions often require a significant overhaul – they can be as dull as watching paint dry. The lackluster response to the questions raised earlier speaks volumes and prooves my hypothesis: "Yes, we've all sat through boring lectures -- that with a little personalization and better preparation couldve leveraged the time better.

I understand that you're a medical professional presenting stats and data and discussing complex topics, but there's no excuse for it to be uninteresting.

Imagine this: I hand a bunch of Doctors a plain old coffee mug and watch their eyebrows shoot up as they wonder, "How on Earth can I make this dull mug spill the tea in an exciting way?!"I'd fire back with a little tale: "Picture this - it's 2017, and I'm chatting post-conference with Hans, the wizard behind our coffee magic today. He spills the beans that doctors are the real coffee champs at events he's seen over the years. And that's not all! Let me spill the tea on the mystery of those magical mugs."See, you can make a complex, simple, or ordinary topic interesting with a story. You just have to prepare better. And let's face it, you didn't reach these prestigious heights without mastering the art of being prepared. But it is time to jazz things up! Don't let your audience nod off before you even hit your stride. Inject some stories into your speech and keep them glued 'til the very end!No one doubts that you’re excited to be there. No one needs you to reintroduce yourself right after the host of the event did. Even if there was no introduction, your name is on the program, schedule, or sign outside the room. But we’ve all heard speeches start that same way. “I’m so honored to be here. My name is Dr. SO-AND-SO and I’m excited that I get to be here with you today and today's talk is entitled ...”What should you do instead?2. Start with a personal story and weave your mundane (oops, sorry!) subject into your own unique story.My Grandma was a talented Ukrainian Easter egg painter and a super fast crocheter. She made some of the most complicated patterns while watching her soap operas when I was a kid. One day I asked her to make me some golf club covers ... but more on that later!To all the white coats and stethoscope wielders out there, here's a golden nugget of advice: before you take the stage, sprinkle some personal story into your speech within the first 90 seconds. But please, do not give away the ending or spill all the tea at once! Save the moral of the story for the end. Keep your audience guessing until your big finale where you tie your topic, the data, etc., all together like a storytelling seamstress! Robin Roberts, one of today’s most beloved broadcasters, says, "People don't really care too much about facts. But if you can get the message across through a story, especially a personal story that you have, that is very effective."For you, that's the magic moment when you kick off with a mind-bending statement or a personal story that leaves everyone hanging on your every word. For example, I'm gearing up to rock a virtual medical event next week. Can you guess the bombshell I'll drop from the get-go?Here's what I plan to start with: “I'm not a Physician, but I am a Patient. So, I know what it's like to sit on the otherside of the exam room from you. And six weeks ago, my daughters orthopedic surgeon walked us down the hall and something amazing happened ...”I hear you loud and clear! Public speaking can stir up nerves, even for the coolest medical professionals. Truth is, only a tiny bunch dive into these public speaking cues. So, are you game to join the public speaking cast of top-notch storytellers you admire, or are you going to be just another boring lecturer? In the end, you're not just stringing a bunch of words together to fill the time. You want to leave your audience with a lasting impression on a difficult topic that you're an expert on. You're crocheting, in a sense, like my Grandma, a blanket full of your thoughts, ready to envelop the crowd with your literary masterpiece. Who cares about thread counts and color combos [e.g., data, statistics, industry jargon]? It's all about pouring your heart into the words to make a hard-to-understand topic come to life. Just like my Grandma brought to life her artistry by painting Ukrainian Easter eggs, she used her crochet wizardry to make so many beautiful things. Although honestly, I still wish I'd gone for black yarn that day for my golf club covers instead of yellow. The guys at the course have never let me live that down! :)3. Spot the "Happy Camper" in the audience.Pro Tip: Seek out the smiles and make eye contact with them [regularly] in the sea of faces!I always play a game of "Spot the Happy Camper" in the audience - that one beaming soul who's all in and radiating good vibes. It's like an instant shot of motivation! They're probably giving you the eyes, so as you bop around the crowd, connecting with different faces, you'll know your message is hitting the bullseye. Trust me, it's a piece of cake to spot (and zone in on) the one grumpy Gus in the room. Public speakers, especially in the medical world, have a knack for spotting that one tough cookie with folded arms and a frown. But why not focus on the one gem who's nodding along, locking eyes with you? It turns your talk into a friendly chat rather than a snooze-fest lecture, and everyone wins!One cool trick to make the most of this chance and keep your audience glued is to chat like you're having a one-on-one with a buddy (not literally, figuratively). Nobody wants to feel like they're just a face in the crowd. Chatting with a sea of faces can be tricky, but having a cozy chat with one person? It's a piece of cake! And remember, you've done hard stuff before, and you'll do hard stuff again. You got this!

4. Avoid kicking off with a snooze-fest introduction listing your name, med school degrees, title of your presentations, company name, or your fancy title.

This is a big one. The first two minutes after you take the stage are the most critical part of your talk. And roughly 99% of public speakers ruin their speeches in the first sentence. How? They start off their speech by thanking the audience. No one cares about that. No one doubts that you’re excited to be there. No one needs you to reintroduce yourself right after the host of the event did. But you’ve heard speeches start that same way. You’ve got the briefest moment to create some curiosity. Don’t throw it away on a hollow “thanks for having me” sentence. (You can thank the audience in the middle of the speech if necessary.)

5. Save the social graces for the very, very end, if at all.

The beginning and the end of your talk is the most important part of the presentation. Wrap that with a story and you've accomplished what 99% of public speakers forget or downright ignore. Save the big round of applause to the mastermind/organizers/organization behind it all and the Host, for when the curtains close, not when you step up to the podium or mic!

Whoever you’re speaking to could have asked anyone to grace their stage. But they chose you. I see that as an honor and a privilege. Additionally, your job isn’t to fill the time, it’s to leverage it. Restating your name and repeating social graces can be saved for the end of your talk. Leverage those first few moments because after 10-minutes, they’re going to forget your name anyhow.

I’m not saying you have to open by thanking them or even thank the Host if you were fortunate enough presenter, if that slows you down. Don't break the tension, try to cut your nervousness by stalling. Jump right in and make an impact! But at least thank them at the very end for showing up and participating right before you walk off stage.

You should always end however with a dynamic ending and then just give a quick thank you as you leave. It won’t detract from your speech, but it will leave the audience with a good feeling about you.

6. ALWAYS remember your crowd is your biggest cheerleader, secretly waving pom-poms and chanting for your success! Go, you!

The audience could have sat down anywhere in the world that day (literally!), but they chose you instead! Flashback to the wise words from a mentor of mine ages ago, just before stepping onto the same stage: "They're rooting for you to do well," he said. "Every audience wants the speaker to do well." That golden nugget has been my North Star ever since.

7. What's the view from the back of the room?

Take a stroll to the back of the room if you arrive early and see through the eyes of the cool cats in the back row. Those distant souls might be emitting vibes of resistance to your vibes. Seeing things from their perspective reminds me to ensure the back row doesn't miss out on the limelight. (For a sneak peek, check out the pic below. Just before the show started, I ambled to the back and snapped this shot, enjoying the view a couple of times.)

8. Forge an unbreakable bond with the audio wizard!

I suggest you buddy up with the audio/visual wizards rocking your show. These tech maestros are your backstage buddies, not just vendor folks. Neglecting them can turn your presentation into a tech nightmare.

9. If Mic'd, don't turn it "On" until it's time to walk up on stage.

True story: I Host an annual industry conference, the Concierge Medicine Forum, and just a few years ago, a classic Keynote mishap unfolded just moments before showtime where the speaker turned on her lavalier either by accident or 2 minutes early. As the Host, I smoothly turned a technical hiccup into a spotlight moment for our unsung sound heroes, earning them a round of applause. Just another day in the wild world of event hosting!

10. Get there SUPER early and mix it up with your crowd!Shake hands with five friendly faces in the crowd before showtime. Maybe sprinkle in a few name drops-during your speech to make it feel like a personalized party!

11. Steer clear of unleashing videos at all costs in your presentations and talks!

Sure, the allure of emotional videos and snazzy transitions is tempting, but trust me, they're like a clown at a retirement party regarding public speaking. Now's not the time. If you can, skip the videos in your presentation. I know, I know, we live in a video-crazed world. But let's be real, how many times have we seen a top-notch talk go down the drain because of a tech glitch with the video or sound? It's almost comical how relieved production crews are when I say I'm going sans videos. Their usual response? "Phew, thank you!"

12. Skip the internet surfing, the website showcasing, or the software demos in your presentation!Avoid Internet surfing or live software demos during your presentation! Except for videos, this blunder has made us all cringe and feel for the poor soul at the front. Oh no, steer clear of it!

13. Chill out before the spotlight shines on you!

Picture this: just before I step onto the stage, I have a little ritual to calm my nerves.

Sometimes, I dive into some favorite quotes I've squirreled away on my phone. But more often than not, I shoot a quick text to my wife. I never anticipate a reply beforehand since, after two decades of wedded bliss, she knows me like the back of her hand. She knows a response would be a detour in my mind, but hey, family is my anchor, keeping me rooted and balanced. It's like a magic potion that removes the jitters and reconnects me with my purpose. Sending that text is my gentle reminder (for myself) that in just 30 minutes or so, it'll all be history, and my biggest cheerleader still has my back, whether I nail the presentation or drop the ball.

14. Your debut performance should not be the premiere of your practice session.Most of the time, healthcare professionals deliver boring presentations is two reasons:

1. They were too busy to prepare and assumed the slides would do the work.
2. They went from creating the slides to presenting the slides.

Now, you might believe these two explanations are like two peas in a pod. And you'd be spot on! Most lackluster (let's sugarcoat it) presentations tend to overlook a crucial element. To rock the stage with a riveting speech on any topic, you gotta ace three key ingredients.

1. Prepare.
2. Practice.
3. Present.

Most presenters, especially those in healthcare, tend to skip step number 2 altogether. They think they've got this presenting gig down pat just because they're pros in their field. But as your trusty CME surveys have shown time and time again, they couldn't be more off the mark!Planning is one thing, but putting in the practice is a whole other ball game. When you finally take the stage, your content should be as captivating as a magic show. You'll know just when to drop in a pause for giggles, leave space for applause, perfect your rhythm, stress certain points, and more. Your debut performance should not be the premiere of your practice session. Sadly, that's often the case with those never-ending medical lectures.Please, don't make that same mistake.At the end of the day, what matters is you do you. After all and we say it often "It's no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it's about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your Patients and FOR your local community."If you can do that, you have our attention!

FOR You, FOR Doctors,

~Michael