HOW TO PRESENT A SCIENTIFIC LECTURE

P Devroey

Science

• Innovation

• Communication• Written

• Abstract • Peer reviewed manuscript

• Oral communication• Presentation of abstract• Invited lecture • Press conference

Adapted from Fatemi 2009

Science

• Creative

• Mechanism of action

• Pilot studies

• Observational studies

• Randomized controlled trials

• Evidence Based Medicine

Considerations

• Hard science (world first and proven) ?

• Which is the focus of the talk ?

• Ethical reflections ?

• What do I want you as audience to

remember ? Take home message

Hostmanship

• Guest and host

• Feeling welcome

• Experience of added value

Jan Gunnarsson 2004

Basic principle of hostmanship

• Knowledge

• Take care

• Dialogue

• Helicopter view

• House style

Personal considerations

• Inspiration

• Educational

• Esthetic

• Challenge

• Surprise

Format of the lecture

• Transparent

• Forward – looking

• Modest

• Clear

• Conscious

• Constructive

• Supported

• Trustworthy

• Appreciative

• Wise

• Decisive

• Passionate

Preparation of the presentation

• Presentation

• Planning

• Practice

The triangle concept

Slides

Audience Presenter

Laserpointer

The mouse concept

Slides

Mouse Audience

The podium concept

Projection

Speaker(moving)

Chairs (sitting)

Audience

Laser

Laser

Seven basic rules of a presentation

1. Never more than 7 lines on each slide

2. One minute per slide

3. Colour

4. Focussed presentation with references

5. Tonality

6. Body language

7. Travelling from one slide to anotherHow not to do it

HOW NOT TO DO IT

The accurate detection of underlying reproductive abnormalities helps to guide individual management decisions and maximize ART treatment outcomes. Clinical evaluation of the infertile couple may be grouped into five categories: semen analysis, the post-coital test (PCT), assessment of ovulation, uterine and tubal evaluation, and laparoscopy (Balasch, 2000). Of these, semen analysis, mid-luteal phase serum progesterone level and tubal patency evaluation comprise the initial basic patient work-up (Crosignani and Rubin, 2000). However, the use of several fundamental elements of infertility testing is still contentious, and evidence suggests that the current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the standard investigation of the infertile couple are poorly followed in Europe (Rowe et al., 1993; Balasch, 2000).

Semen analysis

Humans have a low proportion of ‘normal’ sperm compared with many other species. Although relatively few studies of semen analysis have been performed in men with proven fertility, there is a high degree of overlap in semen characteristics between fertile and infertile men (Guzick et al., 2001). High-quality semen analysis has diagnostic value for gross male infertility conditions (such as azoospermia or globozoospermia), but the predictive value of an individual semen analysis is less robust when moderate numbers of motile sperm are present (Comhaire, 2000).

Semen analysis comprises sperm concentration, motility and morphology. No isolated semen analysis measures have been shown to be diagnostic of infertility in large studies (Guzick et al., 2001). In an effort to increase the value of semen analyses, results have been incorporated into complex prediction models (Snick et al., 1997; Hunault et al., 2004). However, the output of these models has large confidence intervals and results must be interpreted cautiously (Snick et al., 1997; Hunault et al., 2004).

Evidence suggests that the WHO recommendations for performance of semen analysis and reporting of results are adhered to poorly in routine laboratory practice (Keel et al., 2002; Riddell et al., 2005). Despite the availability of established systems to improve staff training in semen assessments, such as ESHRE courses (Bjorndahl et al., 2002), the majority of laboratories still do not have accurate methods or appropriate training systems. Thus, semen analysis results are often variable. The demonstrated absence of standardization and strict quality control for semen analysis undermines the diagnostic and prognostic value of the test.

Despite the limitations described, semen analysis is routinely used to evaluate the fertilization potential of the male partner in infertile couples. Semen analysis outcomes also guide management decisions and often influence the choice of expectant management, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Greater standardization of semen analysis and accurate laboratory evaluation is clearly needed to improve the prognostic value of semen analysis (Ombelet et al., 2003). Furthermore, high-quality studies are required to identify threshold levels that are predictive of treatment outcome to assist decision-making for ART treatment. Sperm function tests may offer greater predictive power than traditional semen analysis but require strict validation prior to use in routine clinical practice

HOW NOT TO DO IT

• What is the etiology of the luteal

phase defect in stimulated cycles ?

• Oocyte retrieval ?

• GnRH agonist ?

• hCG ?

• Stimulation ?

• Combination of those factors ?

HOW NOT TO DO IT

• What is the etiology of the luteal phase

defect in stimulated cycles ?

• Oocyte retrieval ?

• GnRH agonist ?

• hCG ?

• Stimulation ?

• Combination of those factors ?HR 1996FS 2000JCM 1985

HOW TO DO IT

• What is the etiology of the luteal phase

defect in stimulated cycles ?

• Oocyte retrieval ?

• GnRH agonist ?

• hCG ?

• Stimulation ?

• Combination of those factors ?Fatemi Human Reproduction 2000Fauser Human Reproduction 2008Blockeel Human Reproduction 2009

Preparation

• What do I need to tell the audience ?

• How can I focus ?

• How can I keep the audience interested ?

• What did I publish ?

• KISS - Keep It Straightforwardly Simple

Wording

Wording during the lecture

NO

• I feel

• I think

• There is a trend to prove

• My personal view is

YES

• It is observed

• A tentative interpretation of the data is

• So far it’s not significant

• The meta-analysis did show

Planning

• Story

• Take home message

• Coda

Considerations on personal guidelines

• Brain and behavior have to be in balance

• Fluent wording

• Constructive and innovative

• Transparent but provocative

• Focus on strategies and structures

Traveling from slide to slide

Conditions to be creative

• Transparent rational behavior

• Convinced about change and novelty (progressive versus conservative)

• Global interest

• Personal niche• Hotel room (cocooning)• Monastery (isolation)• Airplane (detached)

Consideration on provocation

• Notwithstanding, an unacceptable and

immoral act according to the Vatican (1987),

ICSI and TESE ICSI which we developed,

led and will lead to the birth of millions of

children

• Is this observation not an inspiring

contradiction dedicated to the temple of

humanity (Guayasamin, Quito)

Conclusions

• Preparation is of paramount importance

• Podium concept is mandatory

• Eye contact and body language are crucial

• The triangle concept helps communication

CODA

• Hostmanship

• Innovative story ICSI

• All men can be the father of their own child

• ICSI is applied globally

• Thousands and millions of children are and

will be born tomorrow

Aknowledgements to Melissa Defreyne