Module 5 - How to be an effective presenter

Question 1

What are the roles of the presenter?

Answer 1

Presenters are able to communicate information in concise and simple language which engages attendees. Presenters will also need to:

• introduce the topic of the presentation and agenda of the session
• speak slowly and clearly
• use general and non-clinical language
• acknowledge questions that cannot be answered
• run through feedback form questions
• collect feedback forms and extra resources
• document attendee numbers and resources uses

Question 2

What are your responsibilities as a presenter?

Answer 2

As a presenter, you play an important role in raising awareness of AMD and reducing the risk of diagnosis or progression. It is with this goal in mind, that a presenter, has many varied responsibilities and it is important to be across these. We will go over the main responsibilities below.

Question 3

Explain the importance of using simple language

Answer 3

Try to limit the use of clinical language. Instead, you may want to use anecdotes to make content more relatable. An example is provided below:

Healthy retina: fluffy shagpile carpet

Dry (atrophic) AMD affected retina: high traffic areas of shagpile carpet are worn out

Remember, this is your presentation. Feel free to make it your own while still presenting the content. We will go over how to find the right balance for you in the next section.

Question 4

Why is it important to find the right balance of content when presenting?

Answer 4

AMD can be an intimidating topic for anyone at risk. It is important that attendees leave the session feeling empowered to reduce their risks, while still grasping the gravity of the condition.

Therefore, it is important to find the right balance of accurate, sombre information and lighthearted anecdotes or jokes. You would have seen examples of this in Module 4 when watching a video of the presentation.

You will find your own method of presenting as time goes on.

AMD can be an intimidating topic for anyone at risk. It is important that attendees leave the session feeling empowered to reduce their risks, while still grasping the gravity of the condition.

Question 5

What do you do if you cannot or should not answer a question?

Answer 5

Explain to the attendee that you are unable to answer the question, before encouraging them to write it on their feedback form with a contact number so they can be contacted after the session by an MDFA team member. Some examples of questions with appropriate answers are below:

Question: My new ophthalmologist has recommended for I use a different brand of eye drops now. Are some eye drops better than others?

Answer: Different eye drops can have different functions. Your ophthalmologist would be the best person to decide which drops are best for you.

Question: I recently noticed flashes of light in my eyes. Do you know what could be?

Answer: Unfortunately, I cannot provide a clinical diagnosis. However, any changes to vision should be reported to a health care professional. I would encourage you to see your optometrist (or) ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Question: I heard about a rebate cut to the Medicare Rebate for eye injections. Can you tell me a bit more about that?

Answer: I’m not sure about the latest update. If you could please write that question on your feedback form and a member of MDFA’s team will give you a call to provide an update.

Question 6

Is it better to not be able to answer any questions or give incorrect answers?

Answer 6

Admit that you cannot answer the question. Do not guess because the importance of the answers and their relation to a person’s health is deemed only worthy of a health professional to answer.

Question 7

Presenters will ensure that if a question is ________ in nature, it will not be answered. If the facilitator is unsure of an answer, they will encourage the attendee to list questions on their ________, along with the best contact number. The facilitator will then explain that an __________ will _______ their question.

Answer 7

Clinical

Feedback form

MDFA team member

Follow up

Question 8

Presenters will ensure that if a question is ________ in nature, it will not be answered. If the facilitator is unsure of an answer, they will encourage the attendee to list questions on their ________, along with the best contact number. The facilitator will then explain that an __________ will _______ their question.

Answer 8

Clinical

Feedback form

MDFA team member

Follow up

Question 9

True or false: As a presenter, your role is to explain as much information about AMD as possible.

Answer 9

False

Question 10

True or false: It is important to find the right balance between the sombre topic of AMD and anecdotes/jokes.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What are the DON’Ts of public speaking?

Answer 11

Rambling
Bad eye contact
Cluttered notes
Complex slides
Fidgeting
Too soft and fillers

Question 12

What are the DO’s of public speaking?

Answer 12

Organised and concise
Direct eye contact
Simplified notes
Clear, simple slides
Confident posture and gestures
Confident, loud voice with pauses

Question 13

Which of the following are skills a presenter should have?

1. Rely heavily on notes and slides
2. Create an open and conversational atmosphere
3. Maintaining eye contact with attendees
4. Have a confident posture and don’t fidget

Answer 13

2. Create an open and conversational atmosphere
3. Maintaining eye contact with attendees
4. Have a confident posture and don’t fidget

Question 14

What is active listening?

Answer 14

Active listening involves non-judgmental listening and appropriate responses, both verbally and non-verbally, to improve mutual understanding, openness, and honesty. When performed, active listeners are able in turn to have better conversations as active listeners are able to judiciously use open-ended or probing questions, better paraphrase or better reflect the emotions someone may be going through, and provide affirmations and solutions while avoiding communication roadblocks.

Question 15

What else is involved in active listening?

Answer 15

Non-verbal cues such as body posture and facial expression send out messages that either affirm or negate what is being said. Nonverbal behaviors often add emotional intensity to what is being said and can speak louder than words. Not only do you have to be aware of your own body language, but others too as they may give clues as to how they are really feeling.

Question 16

Problem Solving

Answer 16

Participants often face problems with their vision that limit their quality of life - we see this as people no longer being able to read or drive, or have lost the confidence to live safely at home. The group offers participants the opportunity to share their experiences and workshop solutions.

To help problem solve, you will explore problems that are experienced at the individual and group level. There are some practical steps facilitators can take, or lead the group through, to help resolve problems as below.

When offering support to help with problems, it is important to utilise non-directive support. Non-directive support allows a person to deal with what is important or pressing at a pace of their own choosing. It helps people to identify problems they may have and that may need to be addressed. During a time where they maybe overwhelmed with their diagnosis and any vision loss, this allows them to feel more in control of their self-management aspirations.

Question 17

What are the problem-solving steps?

Answer 17

1. Identifying the problem
2. Specify the problem
3. Pinpoint the causes
4. Explore feasible approaches
5. Implementation
6. Access outcomes

Question 18

Explain identifying the problem

Answer 18

Facilitators can help members recognize the existence of a problem and the need to make decisions and take action to resolve it.

Question 19

Explain Specifying the problem

Answer 19

Before a solution can be found, the details of the problem must be understood. Facilitators, along with the group, can figure out what is happening and what should be happening instead.

Question 20

Explain Addressing the problem

Answer 20

Addressing only the effects of the problem will lead to repetitions of that same problem. Group members may need help to screen out the superficial issues and look for potential underlying causes to what may appear to be obvious.

Question 21

Explain exploring feasible approaches

Answer 21

There is almost always more than one way to solve a problem. When brainstorming for creative solutions, no judgment should be passed on any ideas. It may be helpful to right down the possible solutions as they are collected.

Question 22

Explain implementation

Answer 22

Recognizing the problem, identifying options and selecting a solution are just the beginning. Until the resolution is enacted, the problem will remain.

Question 23

Explain accessing outcomes

Answer 23

Once the plan of action has been implemented, it will be important to follow up to see how well the solution is working. For issues on an individual level, the members can provide accountability regarding follow-through on the plan, as well as provide helpful feedback. For group issues, reflecting on its own processes and results keeps the group effective.

Question 24

During the presentation, you are asked a clinical question. How should you respond?

Answer 24

“Unfortunately, MDFA does not answer clinical questions. The best person to ask that question would be your health care professional - optometrist, ophthalmologist or GP.”

Question 25

True or False. You can use appropriate anecdotes or jokes to lift the sombre disease information of AMD.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What should you do if you do not know the answer to a question?

Answer 26

Explain that you do not know and an MDFA team member will get back to them

Question 27

Which of these public speaking techniques should you try to use when presenting? Select all correct answers.

Maintain eye contact with attendees
Use hands to communicate information
Have a confident posture
Speak loudly and clearly

Answer 27

All of the above