The Oral Case Presentation: Time for a “Refresh”

Abstract

Despite enormous changes in medicine over the last 50 years, the oral presentation of newly admitted patients remains a core activity in academic teaching hospitals. With increased pace and complexity of care, it is time to refresh this tradition, as its efficiency and utility in contemporary practice are open to question. In this paper, we suggest a revised structure to help presenters organize their thoughts before the oral presentation and provide an online tool for doing so. We then offer tips on how to present the facts and inferences to the team in a compelling and memorable fashion; how to tell a story. Organizing information and oral presentation are advanced skills that require repeated practice to learn.