Thread by @mmahesh1

Conversation between IM and MP regarding slide presentations at the meeting (#AAPM2022)

8 am: MP energetically walking through surgical area. He heard someone calling him

IM: Hey doc, I see you are back from your annual meeting (#AAPM2022). How was it?

1/

MP: It was very nice & had record number of attendees. As @aapmHQ past treasurer, it made me quite happy.

IM: Nice, how were the talks? I heard that you were able to attend many sessions this time.

MP: Yes, for the first time in years, I didn’t have many committee meetings

2/

MP: Yes, for the first time in years, I didn’t have many committee meetings, hence, was able to attend sessions & also give couple of talks.

IM: I am glad you were able to do that. I wanted to talk to u about a sensitive issue.

MP: About what? You can ask me anything buddy.

3/

IM: I don’t know how to say this, but don’t be defensive doc.

MP: Ok, I promise, tell me what you wanted to ask

IM: Doc, don’t you people teach in graduate school how to make a good presentation?

MP: Why you ask?

4/

IM: Doc since you guys offered both in-person and virtual. My buddies & me were able to check out few sessions.

MP: Isn’t that a good thing?
IM: Yes, we were thrilled, but...

5/

IM: But disappointed at few presentations, whose subject matter was good, but slides really annoyed many of my buddies

MP: why?

IM: Doc, you know the slides are to be as simple as possible, so that the attendees are able to follow your talk.

6/

IM: Who creates slides w “light pale blue background w white letters that aren't even in bold”. Don’t get me started

MP: I know what u mean, I had to step out of few such presentations

IM: Same thing doc, who presents complex ‘equations’ in a 30 min talk & not one but many?

7/

MP: What’s wrong in showing key equations?

IM: Nothing doc, but showing equations but mumbling through presentation, as if one is speaking w their lab mates. We were more disappointed with presentations from senior presenters

8/

IM: Few senior presenters seems to have not received much feedback about their slides.

MP: Buddy, you have a point. I hope all are aware of so many resources available on how to make a good presentation

9/

IM: Doc, do you want me to send them a link to your friend’s nicely created and saved on the @RSNA website?

MP: Are you referring to past RSNA President’s presentation on “How to give a Power-point Presentation” (rsna.org/uploadedFiles/…)

10/

IM: Yes, that’s what I was referring – he gives simple tips & hope those preparing for a good presentation follow it.

MP: Glad u referred to my friend @GeorgeBisset , who not only great pediatric radiologist, was good communicator & became head of an entire health system

11/

IM: We know u guys get excited to speak, but fails to generate excitement in audience because of way slides are created & given w/o any energy
MP: You are right, I often tell my students, that presentation is like “telling a story” & slides are there to support your story.
12/

MM: BTW, like to follow “5-5” rule.

IM: What is that doc?

MP: “5-5” rule: Not more than 5 sentences in a slide and not more than 5 words in each sentence

IM: What about the color and fonts?

13/

MP: Glad you asked, simplest is “Blue color background with White or Yellow color fonts” with font size of not less than 28 or 32 pt. Also, I never use “Times or other style fonts”. I use “Calibri or Verdana” with bold

IM: What about the color plots?

14/

IM: You physicists are thrilled to stuff a graph w so many color lines

MP: You are right, we get excited over the data and sometime over do. Regarding plots, never to use “red thin lines”

IM: I remember you often tell “Less is More” how does that applies to your talk

15/

MP: Thanks for reminding, “Less is More” means, lesser the content you show on each slide, much easier it will be for the audience to understand.

IM: I hope your buddies reads this conversation and adopts accordingly next time when they are invited to speak.

16/

MP: Thanks – need to go – the links u mentioned & this (rsna.org/annual-meeting…) has very valuable resource for anyone. Feel free to share it with your buddies too.

IM: Will do, bye doc – get some sleep this weekend, I know your friend and you hardly slept during the conference.

@threadreaderapp #unroll