How to give an effective presentation.

Introduction When asked for a definition of CME (continuing medical education), many physicians will describe a short course with instructors presenting didactic lectures to large groups of physicians sitting for long hours in a hotel conference room in rows of narrow tables. The lecture is the staple format of CME course instruction. Lectures have been viewed as a poor method to promote the development of thinking skills for the formation of attitudes [1-3]. The main reason for this is the lack of involvement by the participants who remain passive recipients of information. However, when done effectively, the lecture can allow participants to learn new material, explain difficult concepts, organize thinking, promote problem solving, and challenge attitudes [4-6]. "Teach the teachers" workshops and courses, which introduce participants to interactive lecturing, lead to lectures that increase student participation and involvement in the large class lecture [7]. The objectives of this presentation are for the participants to be able to differentiate good and bad features of a presentation, evaluate their own and other’s presentation skills, and improve their own presentation skills.