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Qualities of Effective Oral Presentation (S-O-A-P-S)
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Story or chronology
Identify and describe the chief concern/complaint
Think of the oral case presentation as building a case as a lawyer would in a court of law.
You are providing information to allow others to come to the assessment and plan you did and to have them help you care for your patient
Organization
Facts are where the listener expects
Orient your listeners and prepare them for what follows
Never change the basic format of the presentation – it is always the same (ID, CC, HPI, PMHx, Meds, ALL, SH, etc)
Use standard headings to keep your listeners oriented. “The relevant past medical history is…” “On physical exam I found…” “In summary…”
If you put FH, SH, or parts of the ROS into the HPI, there is no need to repeat it later in the presentation
Argument
“Makes the case” for the assessment and plan
An oral presentation is supposed to be a bedtime story not a suspense thriller.
The assessment and plan should NEVER be a surprise.
Pertinence
Only includes information relevant to the assessment and plan
If you’re not sure if a detail is relevant, leave it out of the oral presentation. Your listener can always ask for more.
Think of the oral presentation as the “Cliff’s Notes” version of the write-up – it includes detail you need to understand the plot but not much more.
Speech
Fluent, well spoken and not read
Practice your presentation AT LEAST once before giving it.