"To be a more effective presenter it is useful to examine your present skills. Evaluate your current presentation skills. It will help identify the areas on which to focus in order to increase your competence".
This advice was given by Ms Shabana Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Centre of English Language, Aga Khan University, to participants of one of the four workshops on 'Presentation Skills' at AKU here on Saturday.
She further said: "One must identify some basic objectives before planning a presentation. Analyze the value, needs and limitations of the audience; should write down some main ideas first in order to build a presentation around them. Incorporate both a preview and review of the main ideas."
She said: "A person must develop an introduction that will catch the attention of the audience and still provide the necessary background information. The conclusion should refer back to the introduction and if appropriate contain a call to action statement.
"The Visual aids used must be carefully prepared. They must be simple and easy to read and should make an impact. The number of visual aids must be normal so as the visuals enhance not detract the audience from the presentation.
"The presentation should be persuasive and be supported with logical arguments. Make sure that the benefits suggested to the audience are clear and compelling, and communicate ideas enthusiastically by the audience."
She emphasised need for rehearsing before a presentation so that there is a minimum use of notes and maximum attention is paid to the audience. Try to use key words in the notes to avoid reading from a manuscript. Always prepare for answers to anticipated questions by the audience.
Dr Anwar Ali Siddiqui, Associate Dean for Research, AKU, delivering a lecture on the topic 'Scientific Paper Writing', said, "Scientific activity is not complete until the results are shared with other scientists. Generally, this is done through scientific journals, and other publications. The first step, however, is the preparation of a manuscript, or written report, based on your research.
"In writing a paper one should describe the materials that were used, and the results that were obtained. Additionally, one should relate the results to existing knowledge and suggest future study. The reader should be able to duplicate the study from the information in the paper. The reader also should see a full presentation of results, free of any attached interpretations, in order to reach his/her own conclusions."
"The organisation of scientific reports has four main parts: introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion. The presentation of data in tables and figures are of equal importance and the style for citation of literature within the text and bibliographic entries.
"Following are the specific parts, which should be discussed, in a scientific paper: The abstract, the introduction, the method and materials section, the result section, and the discussion section, acknowledgements, references.
Other considerations when writing a scientific paper are introduction, text citations, the use of quotations, the use of tables and figures, computers and scientific writing, final thoughts.
"Begin with the most general features of the data and proceed towards the most specific. The text should relate the data to those of the literature. Text, tables and figures will have their unique capabilities for presentation of results.
"To start planning a curriculum for professional development at undergraduate or postgraduate level one must write curriculum outcomes in the domain of professionalism and consider whether these are the same for medical students and for postgraduate trainees. Design educational experiences that will enable students and trainees to achieve those outcomes. Also consider the preparation that is required to implement a curriculum for professionalism and identify relevant barriers and pathways".
Professor Janet Grant from Open University Centre for Education in Medicine, Walton Hall, UK, in a workshop on 'Training for Professionalism', said, "We shall concentrate on four aspects for curriculum design, the overall purpose, specific intended outcomes, educational experiences, preparation required.
"A professional should have knowledge, skills, judgement, protection and restoration of human well-being, partnership with patients, integrity, compassion, altruism, continuos improvement, excellence, team work."
In a workshop on 'Leadership Skills', Fasihul Karim Siddiqi, Director, Hino Pak Motors, said that the purpose of the workshop was to find out what strategies are preferred by different persons in the leadership role in dealing with organisational problems.
He emphasise that one first should understand that leadership is not a position; it is an action and a choice. Whereas, leader is a person with a vision and ability to see beyond the sight of his followers. He has the ability to influence others with his vision and with the influence of his vision he is able to make difference in others.
He further said that there are three types of people in every organisation: worker, manager and leader. Every manager may be a leader but every leader is not a manager.
He defined the four categories of leadership: the leading leader, the learned leader, latent leader and the limited leader.
He also gave the qualities of a leader such as : he has a mission that matters, is a big thinker, has high ethics, masters change, he is sensitive, he is a risk taker, he is a decision maker, he uses power wisely, communicates effectively, he is a team builder, he is courageous and committed.
On the second day of annual Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Conference, four workshops on different topics related to 'Nurturing Professionalism in Medicine' had been organised at the Aga Khan University. The workshops were on 'Leadership Skills', 'Professionalism', 'Presentation Skills' and 'Scientific Paper Writing'.
The workshops were well attended by doctors, students and healthcare professionals involved in postgraduate medicine.
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