Preparing a Scientific Poster

LuAnn Wilkerson, Ed.D.

Sr. Assoc. Dean for Medical Education

Special Thanks to Alan LeFor, M.D. and Michael Galinda, MD

Overview Planning a Poster Presentation

“The Science” Preparing the Poster

“The Mechanics” Critique some Posters

Putting it all together

The Science: Planning your Poster

State a research question Determine your purpose State the question that guided your

research Check the literature Share it with several people

Are any of the terms vague? Does it seem important? Interesting?

Refine

Know your audience Professional specialty Placement in the meeting Probable attendees for this session

Level of expertise with this topic Interests

Setting

Determine your main points Distill to a single story supported by 3-4 facts. Be selective. Leave room for

Introduction Examples and explanations Visual displays Summary

Plan for a visual impact Readable from 5-6 feet away Does/Does Not Test

Clear organization Stress of main points Visual illustration

Charts, graphs, pictures Color for emphasis

Special features Abstract is NOT generally included Reference list is not required or limited Case Report

Learning objective Case description -- brief and riveting Discussion Implication -- single sentence linked to objective

Literature Review Begin with the “problem” or case Group by findings Use first author name et al, date. Hand out list.

Common Problems Inappropriate level for the audience Disorganized format Too much detail included Poor visuals No interaction with the viewers

The Mechanics Title Introduction Methods Results Conclusions

Title Select a title that communicates

Brief Attention grabbing

Author and mentor Institution

Introduction Why is this question important? Current perspective in the literature Readability

Bullet points A few sentences

Methods Amount of detail is determined by how

common the methodology is used Photograph of any special equipment Readability

Divide into sample, instrumentation, analysis

Bullet points are fine

Results Highest readability

Clear statement of key findings Bullet points or single sentences Consider use of color Graphs / Charts

Data Tables Limit to essential cells If you include a large table, consider a

“blow up” of the essential cells

Conclusions Implications

Patient care Changed scientific understandings Future research

Readability Succinct Bulletted

Internal Medicine Residency Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Case Description

• An exquisitely brief and riveting synopsis of the case.

• Adhere to the standard sequence of HPI -> PMH -> Fam/SocHx -> PE -> Labs -> Studies. However, not all of the above are necessarily relevant, and may not all be included.

• Consider breaking the case into sections (e.g. HPI, PMH, PE). Use visual dividers to separate sections.

• ROS should be included in the HPI only when it contributes to making the presentation interesting.

• Give a brief description of the treatment course and finish with the patient’s last known outcome.

DiscussionLearning Objectives

• Use action verbs describing your learning goals for the reader, usually recognize, diagnose, manage, etc.

Figure 2. EKG

Figure 1. Chest X-ray

Stella Resident, MD, with Michael Galinda, MD

My Special Patient

Planningof the poster

•Lessons that the case has to teach, and how a case like this should change the way doctors think drives the structure of the entire poster.

• If a common presentation of an uncommon disease, explain how it’s like other cases.

• If an uncommon presentation of a common disease, explain how it is special.

•Discuss what factors might have led to this unusual presentation.

•Avoid bold controversial recommendations.

Preparing•Break your discussion into several headings. E.g. Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Clinical Findings, Diagnostic Workup, Treatment Options.

•Use tables and charts to highlight key points.

•Not all of your scholarship needs to be in the poster, but you should be ready to quote the important literature as needed when they ask you questions

•Do not include an abstract or references in the poster!!

• Wrap up the points on how your case should impact clinical practice• Are there broader policy considerations that make your case even more

compelling?

Implications

Mechanical Factors Know the dimensions you are allowed Bring your own tacks! Use an appropriate font size. ALWAYS use a

sans serif font (e.g. Arial vs Times). Don’t MIX fonts

Format choices Individual slides in landscape orientation mounted

on poster board with banner title Single banner poster

Cost Poster board, spray mount: About $15 One piece professionally printed: $36-

51 (see Class of 2012 STTP website) A well-done poster session:

Priceless!!!!!

Putting It All Together

Posters from a surgical meeting

Photographs by Alan Lefor, MD

Get ready…Go!Interact with your audience

Ask if you can tell them more. Describe the purpose in one sentence Describe the methodology concisely. Stress the unique contributions Be on the watch for new ideas!