Determining presentation skills gaps among healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals frequently communicate complex medical information among colleagues and students. This paper aims to determine gaps in healthcare professionals' presentation skills and identify barriers to improving. Eighty-eight individuals at a Midwest Academic Medical Center completed a survey that consisted of three parts: (1) respondents' current presentation slide deck, (2) respondents' perceptions of their current presentation skills, and (3) barriers to and motivations for improving their presentation skills. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect and analyze data. Respondents used bullet points and text the most (74%), and videos the least in their presentations (51%). When assessing respondents' perceptions of their current presentation skills, they rated themselves the lowest as a storyteller (median = 6/10) and as an overall presenter (median = 6/10). The biggest barrier reported was "lack of training on best practices" (58%). Respondents reported "interested in improving" and "enhance opportunities" as their main motivations for improving presentation skills. Four themes emerged from the open-ended survey items: Practical tips and best practices, Ability to communicate effectively, Professional development, and Practice opportunities. Effective presentation skills should be included in every healthcare professionals faculty development curriculum. This is especially crucial for junior faculty members to ensure their continued success.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: emergency care in acute exacerbation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable condition affecting more than 230 million people globally; and is expected to become the world's third largest cause of mortality by 2030. Despite this fact; it is thought to be widely underdiagnosed and underreported across the African continent. This presents a challenge to emergency medicine (EM) providers in the region; who are faced with treating large numbers of patients presenting with exacerbation of previously undiagnosed COPD. This is complicated by other factors; including lack of public awareness; high prevalence of other chronic respiratory illnesses; and difficulties in access to healthcare.The purpose of this paper is to outline the current state of research and international guidelines surrounding the management of acute exacerbation of COPD in the emergency centre. Strict adherence to international guidelines for management of acute exacerbation of COPD may be difficult for many African providers given factors affecting diagnosis; treatment; and access to care for many Africans suffering from COPD. Research looking into the role of the African EM practitioner in providing more cost-effective means of diagnosis and treatment of COPD is limited