Here’s a practical, actionable framework for presenting a clinical case effectively, whether you’re on rounds, at a case conference, or preparing a publication.

Phase 1: Pre-Presentation Prep (Do This First)

Define Your "Punchline"

• Ask: What is the single learning point? (e.g., "Don’t miss this rare drug interaction" or "This shows why we screen for X in Y population")
• Write this down. Every fact you include must support this narrative.

Know Your Audience & Time

• Bedside rounds: 2–3 minutes max, focused on active problems
• Noon conference: 5–8 minutes for the case + 5 minutes for discussion
• Grand rounds/Publication: 10–15 minutes with deep dive into literature

Gather Your Data

• Create a one-page cheat sheet with: key vitals trends, pertinent positives/negatives from history, and only the relevant lab values (not a data dump)

Phase 2: The Presentation Structure

Use the "CPS" framework for formal presentations, or SOAP for daily rounds:

Standard Formal Presentation (5–8 minutes)

1. The Hook (30 seconds)

• "This is a 58-year-old male smoker who presented with chest pain and was found to have [unexpected finding]."
• Why this matters: Gives the diagnosis up front (unless it’s a "unknown case" mystery format)

2. Chief Complaint & History of Present Illness (2 min)

• CC: One sentence ("Chest pain x 3 days")
• HPI: Chronological narrative using OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating/Alleviating, Radiation, Timing, Severity) + relevant negatives
• Pro tip: Pause after the HPI and ask the audience, "What’s on your differential?" (if interactive)

3. Past Medical/Surgical/Social History (30 sec)

• Only include items relevant to the case
• Red flag: Don’t list every medication—only those related to the presentation

4. Physical Exam (1 min)

• Start with vitals + general appearance
• Focus on pertinent findings: "Cardiac exam revealed a new harsh systolic murmur at the right upper sternal border, radiating to the carotids"
• Include relevant negatives that rule out competing diagnoses

5. Diagnostic Workup (1.5 min)

• Present data chronologically (what was ordered first vs. later)
• Use the "/compare/contrast" technique: "While the ECG showed ST elevations, the troponins were only mildly elevated, which is atypical for..."

6. Hospital Course/Assessment (1 min)

• Brief summary: "The patient was taken for emergent cath, which revealed..."
• If presented in real-time: Current status and active issues

7. The Teaching Point (1–2 min)

• Connect back to your punchline
• Include 1–2 literature references or guideline citations
• End with ** clinical pearls:** "The key takeaway is..."

Phase 3: Visual Aid Strategy

If Using Slides:

• Slide 1: Title + patient sticker (age/sex) + one striking image (ECG, rash, imaging)
• Slide 2: Timeline graphic (critical for complex cases)
• Data slides: Tables > paragraphs. Highlight abnormal values in red
• Imaging: One image per slide with arrows pointing to findings
• Final slide: "Take-Home Points" (3 bullets max)

If No Slides (Bedside):

• Hold the chart/iPad but make eye contact
• Use the "handoff" technique: "The three things to know about Mr. Smith are..."

Phase 4: Delivery Techniques

The "Pause and Pivot"

• After presenting confusing/conflicting data, pause: "This created a diagnostic dilemma because..."
• This signals to your audience that something important is coming

Manage Interruptions Gracefully

• If interrupted with a question: Answer briefly, then say, "I’ll address that specifically in two minutes when I get to the workup"

Control Your Speed

• Nervous habit: Speaking faster during the HPI
• Fix: Consciously slow down when stating the chief complaint and final diagnosis

Context-Specific Modifications

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. The "Shotgun" History → Include only facts that change your differential
2. Jargon without translation → If you say "patient has scleral icterus," follow with "suggesting hyperbilirubinemia"
3. Reading the slide → Slides are visual anchors; you tell the story
4. No closure → Always end with disposition (where is the patient now?) and follow-up plan

Quick Start Checklist

• Write your "punchline" on a sticky note
• Create a one-page timeline of events
• Practice the HPI out loud once (this is where most people stumble)
• Prepare your answer to: "What would you do next?" and "What’s the evidence?"

To tailor this further: Are you presenting for daily inpatient rounds, a formal case conference, or preparing this for publication/poster? Also, what’s your role (medical student, resident, attending)? I can give you specific scripts or templates for your exact scenario.

How to Present a Clinical Case Example

Presenting a clinical case effectively is a key skill in medicine, used in grand rounds, morbidity & mortality conferences, journal clubs, or teaching sessions. The goal is to tell a clear, logical story that educates, engages your audience, and highlights key learning points. Follow this step-by-step guide to prepare and deliver a polished presentation.

Step 1: Prepare Your Content (Structure the Case)

Use the standard clinical case format (often called the "SOAP" extension or "H&P" narrative). Limit to 10-15 minutes (8-12 slides if using PowerPoint/Keynote).

• Slide 1: Title & Introduction

  • Case title (e.g., "45-Year-Old Male with Acute Chest Pain").
  • Your name, date, institution.
  • Learning objectives (2-3 bullet points, e.g., "Recognize atypical MI presentations").

• Slide 2: Patient Demographics & Chief Complaint

  • Age, sex, ethnicity (anonymize: use initials or "Patient X").
  • One-liner summary: "45M presents with 2 hours of crushing substernal chest pain radiating to left arm."

• Slide 3-4: History

  • History of Present Illness (HPI): OPQRST (Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time course) + associated symptoms.
  • Past Medical/Surgical History (PMH/PSH), medications, allergies.
  • Social History (SHx): Smoking, alcohol, drugs, occupation, living situation.
  • Family History (FHx): Relevant diseases.

• Slide 5: Physical Exam

  • Vital signs first.
  • Key positives/negatives by system (e.g., CV: regular rhythm, no murmurs; Lungs: clear).

• Slide 6-7: Investigations

  • Labs (table format: highlight abnormals in bold/red).
  • Imaging/ECG (show annotated images).
  • Timeline if chronic case.

• Slide 8: Differential Diagnosis

  • Top 3-5 differentials with brief rationale.
  • Use a table: Diagnosis | Supporting Evidence | Against.

• Slide 9: Diagnosis & Management

  • Final diagnosis.
  • Initial management (e.g., MONA for ACS).
  • Evidence-based rationale (cite 1-2 guidelines, e.g., AHA 2023 ACS guidelines).

• Slide 10: Outcome & Follow-Up

  • What happened? Complications?
  • Long-term plan.

• Slide 11: Key Learning Points & References

  • 3-5 bullets.
  • 2-3 references (Vancouver style).

Pro Tip: Anonymize fully (HIPAA/GDPR compliant). Get patient consent if identifiable.

Step 2: Design Your Slides (Visual Best Practices)

• Keep it simple: <6 lines/slide, 24+ pt font, high-contrast colors (dark background if dim room).
• Visuals over text: Use timelines for disease course, flowcharts for DDx.
• Tools: PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva. Practice with presenter view.
• Avoid: Death by PowerPoint—full sentences, tiny fonts, clipart.

Step 3: Practice Delivery

• Time yourself: 1 min/slide. Speak conversationally, not reading.
• Engage audience: Pause after HPI/exam: "What’s your top differential?"
• Body language: Stand tall, eye contact, laser pointer sparingly.
• Handle Q&A: "Great question—let’s revisit the ECG."
• Rehearse 3-5x: Record yourself or present to a colleague.

Step 4: Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Too much detail (focus on relevant facts).
• Jargon overload (define terms).
• No story arc (build suspense to diagnosis).
• Forgetting evidence (always tie to guidelines).

Example: Quick 1-Minute Verbal Opener

"Today’s case is a 45-year-old male construction worker with no PMH who awoke at 3 AM with severe substernal chest pain, rated 9/10, radiating to his left arm and jaw, associated with nausea but no SOB. Vitals: BP 160/90, HR 110. Exam notable for diaphoresis. ECG showed ST elevations in II, III, aVF. What would you do next?"

Resources for Templates

• Download free templates from: MedEdPORTAL or UpToDate (search "case presentation template").
• Watch examples: YouTube "NEJM Clinical Case Discussions" or TED-style med talks.

This framework works for any specialty (e.g., adapt for psych: emphasize MSE).

What specifics can you share? E.g., your specialty (internal med, surgery?), audience (residents, students?), case type (acute, chronic), or format (oral, poster)? I can refine this or provide a custom slide outline!