Thread by @AnandJag1

I recently discussed Chalk Talks with our newly minted @ucsdim R2s.

Until now, I’d never been, “meta” about this valuable teaching tool and thought I’d share what I learned from reflecting in a #tweetorial

Come explore with me #medtwitter! 0/14

1/#meded chalk talks typically deliver FOCUSED teaching in a short amount of time. While venues vary, we’ve probably encountered them in conference, rounds, or in the afternoon post-rounds/lunch.

Where have you encountered chalk talks most frequently?

2/First some general thoughts:

-Keep them short: limit yourself to <10 mins. On rounds? <2 minutes
-Tools: a sheet of paper or a dry erase marker in your pocket
-Bite-sized: even 1 or 2 pearls works! More later (s/o #BSTMode)
-Patient-focused: more engaging

3/For a successful chalk talk, I believe we need to address three main areas in order to achieve the desired outcome – learning:

💥Environment
💥Objectives
💥Engagement

4/Environment - the physical space

-Aim for a clean and quiet space (e.g. work room; on rounds, find a spot away from the nurse’s station to minimize distractions)
-Minimize screens (computers, phones, tablets)
-Be flexible (time of day)

5/Environment - the mental space

-“I don’t know”: make it known it’s OK to say these words; this helps foster a…
-Growth mindset: if your learners don’t know something, they don’t know it YET

A clean physical/mental space is like fertilizer for learning

6/Objectives - audience, choosing a topic, organization

Audience
-Know who you’re teaching and focus on them. Others still stands to learn.
-Can't find a topic? Ask your learners! In a safe learning environment, they’ll prob ask before you first

7/Objectives cont’d

Topics
-Physiology (e.g. RAAS), Schemas (‘approach to _’), and Rx/Management work well
-Keep them FOCUSED. MS3 asks to learn CHF? Teach them how to approach medical therapy in acute exacerbation

8/Objectives cont’d

Organization: Plan ahead
-Identify a topic on rounds (pt-focused). Take a few mins to form an outline/map while your learners are doing work
-Later in the day or the following day is OK if it means a tighter talk. Esp when ur new to this

9/Engagement - COACH, don’t pimp (s/o Jeff Wiese)

-DO use questions to engage your learners’ understanding of how Na+ flowing through the nephron activates RAAS
-DON’T ask your learner, “can you explain RAAS?”
-Encourage discussion. Say “IDK” when u don’t

10/Pro-tip 1: Try to teach in your own words

Anyone can print out a table or an article. Going the extra step to explain your version shows you put some thought into your talk and gets you buy-in

11/ Pro-tip 2: DON’T wait to be perfect, DO be open to feedback

Jump in! You have a wealth of knowledge. “How to organize my day” is AMAZING early in the year. Not all chalk talks need to be medical.

Ask your learners/attending to help you find your groove

12/Summary

Chalk talks ideally:
💪optimize Environment, Objectives, and Engagement
❤️are focused, patient-centered
🌹reflect YOUR understanding

Welcome, new R2s! Can’t wait to learn from you.

13/
Thanks for following along #medtwitter!

Inspiration and info sourced/adapted from work by #BSTMode @gradydoctor @JenniferSpicer4 @pkritek

Feedback welcome! Help me make this better!

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