Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

Physicians, throughout their training and careers, are often asked to do a variety of different types of public speaking—from large academic settings and videotaped seminars to informal informational settings or impromptu discussions. Doctors are asked to speak on important clinical topics at hospital grand rounds; discuss preventative health with patients in the community; lecture about their research at a professional conference; respond at a press conference about a controversial issue; conduct a job interview through video broadcast; Skype with a team of academic researchers from around the world; or conduct themselves on camera for a telemedicine interaction with patients and colleagues. Individuals are usually filled with apprehension about speaking in front of a group. More often than not, many people will avoid talking in front of a live audience or a video camera if they possibly can. But opportunities to speak are important to take advantage of, whether self-directed or prompted by a request from a superior or an organization. Professional careers and personal connections can be enhanced by giving an outstanding presentation with excellent skills. Whether the goal is to slightly improve physicians’ presentation and communication skills or to perfect their public speaking performances, this chapter will help them. Today, many careers in medicine and throughout the healthcare profession require not only that physicians make presentations in person to large and small live audiences but also that they are camera-ready and know how to successfully perform in a video presentation or broadcast interview.