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Simple steps for medical thought leaders to begin a medical/scientific presentation brilliantly

We are world leaders in medical presentation skills training, working with world leaders in a wide range of medical and scientific fields of expertise. So please trust me when I say that from our experience, a medical professional audience is a most critical one, literally and figuratively. Within a matter of seconds of beginning your medical/scientific presentation, they will decide if they like you, want to stay and listen to you, and whether they will value your opinions.

Here are a few simple proven steps that you can take to make sure the opening of your next medical/scientific presentation goes brilliantly.

  1. After you have been introduced, face the chairperson or moderator who introduced you and say “thank you” Dr. (NAME), then pause, and follow with…
  2. “It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak to you today. As my colleague mentioned, I am Dr. …., and I am [position] at …. [Institution], from….. [City/country]”, pause…
  3. “Today, I am presenting on … [title of presentation].”

Importantly, put your name and title under the title of your presentation, to add visual impact and recall.

Not very complicated, but these simple steps have proven effective for many physicians with whom we have worked.

There are other even better approaches that we refer to as “grabbers”, i.e. the way you introduce the topic “grabs” the interest of the audience. After doing the first two steps above, the third step is to quickly involve them in wanting to learn what you have to share with them.

Here are some examples:

  • Post something as a collective challenge to be solved: “Today I want to share an important medical challenge…
  • Take them on a journey with you: “Today I will present on [topic]. What first interested me about this…[Give a clue as to what is to come].”
  • Share both successes and personal, hard-earned lessons: “Today I want to share my experience and some insights I gained from [research/a case] on [topic].”

There you go, some simple yet effective ways for you to begin your next medical/scientific presentation brilliantly.

Good luck on your next presentation! And please share your ideas and experiences, as well.

Contact (Barri Blauvelt) at Innovara to discuss this and other tips we have for you, and to learn more about our Powerful Medical Presenter ™(PMP) ™ and Executive Coaching to Advance Medical Presentation Skills™ (ECAMP™) training programs, which are available globally.