Presentation Evening 2008

At the end of every summer term we hold a presentation evening and this year was no exception.  The evening was held on 15^th July at the Education Centre and was well attended by the Bromley Trainers and some of the Consultants as well as our ST1s,2s and 3s.

The ST1s and ST2s had prepared posters on a variety of different medical topics and these were displayed around the auditorium.  The ST3s had each prepared short presentations to give during the course of the evening. 

The evening started with a buffet dinner at 7pm which gave everyone a chance to look at the posters and catch up with each other whilst they were enjoying their dinner.  This year we invited the Trainers and the ST3s to mark the posters themselves.  Marks were awarded for originality, clarity, and entertainment.  The posters were innovative and informative and included topics such as “Laughter”, and “A Week in the Life of an Orthopaedic Doctor”.  Many thanks go to all those ST1s and 2s who had worked hard to produce some excellent posters.

Then, with the judges poised with their pens ready, the ST3s then each gave their 8 minute presentations.  Hasib ensured that everyone ran to time with his stop-clock and whistle!  Smitha had the daunting task of going first with her presentation entitled “Does Yoga Have a Place in Modern Medicine?” and managed to get the audience debating about whether we should be able to refer patients for Yoga on the NHS!  This was then followed by Kevin’s presentation on “the Benefits of the Didgereedoo in the Treatment of Sleep Apnoea”.  This left the audience discussing whether other wind instruments may also be effective in the treatment of OSA and if so which ones? 

Presentations that followed included Manjeet’s presentation on “Faddy Diets” which even included a small study that she had done on obese patients and their perceptions of obesity and diet, and then Bushra’s thought-proving presentation on Dignity-Conserving Medicine.

Rak then gave his presentation and made the most of his chance to show as many slides as possible of fast cars and race tracks as he spoke very enthusiastically of his passion for motor-racing and his work as part of the medical team at Brands Hatch.  He cleverly used a picture of a burning car to highlight the importance of “following your passions” to avoid burn-out as a GP.  Rak’s presentation on his craving for motorsport was followed rather appropriately by Bukie’s presentation on food cravings and the possible underlying medical causes for them – certainly food for thought!  The presentations concluded with Farah’s presentation on the Evolution of General Practice which showed us that although medicine has changed hugely over the years the same problems still seem to be affecting GPs such as the push for longer opening hours, improved services and bigger and better clinics.

Whilst Nikki was busy totting up the judges scores Stuart, on behalf of the Trainer’s Workshop, gave a short speech thanking Juliet Castles for all her work over the years as a trainer.  Juliet is, sadly, retiring from training this year.  Stuart spoke very fondly of the time when he and Juliet first began training and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.  Juliet responded by saying how much she had enjoyed training over the years, and encouraged the trainees to consider getting involved with GP education in the future.

The evening then concluded with the prize giving.  This year, books, specially chosen by Nikki, were awarded to the winners.  The following prizes were awarded:

BEST PRESENTATION. -  KEVIN YEE – Didigeridoo and Sleep Apnoea

Culture, Health and Illness, Helman

This book was especially chosen in memory of David Masters.  David passionately believed that GP’s had to see the ‘big picture’ and look beyond the immediate.  The author of this book, Dr Cecil Helman is a social anthropologist and deeply understands how culture and belief shapes peoples illnesses and sick behaviour.  It is well worth a read.

BEST POSTER - MAS VANAT - Laughter

The Other Side of Medicine – Peter Tate

MOST ENTERTAINING PRESENTATION - RAK BALENDRAN - Fuel the Passion

Suburban Sharman - Helman

MOST ORIGINAL/THOUGHT PROVOKING PRESENTATION - BUSHRA YOUSEF – Dignity in Care

Thinking of Patients – Misselbrook

We would like to thank all those who put so much time and effort into preparing presentations and posters for the evenings, to Grace and Zoe in the education centre for the help and organisation, and to all the trainers and consultants who came to support and to be entertained.  I wonder how many of you might now be suggesting that to your patients that they take up Yoga, or perhaps even the didgereedoo?