Hi- I have read on here before that it’s suggested to do your SubI presentation on whatever your research has been in- but I came to this process pretty late and just recently started getting involved in research- so that doesn’t really apply to me. And since I’m so new to this I have no idea of what some good subjects would be for this type of forum.

I don’t what to talk to people about things they already know, but don’t know what are some interesting areas that wouldn’t be too focused or over my head. I am looking for something that would still be applicable to a room of practicing neurosurgeons, but at the same time wouldn’t be too basic/common knowledge. 

HELP! I would really appreciate some examples of past presentations by students- or advice. Thanks!!

Stem Cells! (sorry I couldn’t resist) ...or neuroregeneration / neuroprotection / neuroplasticity, etc. Not topics most neurosurgeons are likely to have exceptionally intimate knowledge about, but perhaps sources of discussion that many might consider to be of at least passing interest...?

First of all, don’t be so intimidated. You are a medical student and although you will be presenting to a group of residents and attendings, nobody expects you to give a resident or attending level presentation. (Duh! So RELAX.)

Second of all, just because you’re a med student doesn’t mean you can’t present on a basic/fundamental topic that will be a good review for the residents for boards (neuroanatomy, etc), since some of them won’t have really studied this stuff in depth since med school. You will have studied it more recently and thus are in an excellent position to refresh for them the intricacies or finer points of x. On the other hand, don’t attempt to turn your presentation into a board review session. The point of the presentation is for YOU to learn.

Third of all, no matter what you present on, in order to make your topic more than just a learning experience for you (which is one of the primary goals of the presentation), it is important, in my opinion, (and this goes for all presentations I did in med school, whether on a nsurg subI or regular clerkship) to read the recent literature on the topic and include a couple of recent papers. This way you are updating the residents and attendings on new findings in the area that they may not have time to read about themselves, and everyone wins all around because your presentation will be relevant to you, any other med students, and also have something for the residents and attendings.

Lastly, think of some possible topics and run them by your chief. Usually, your chief will want to approve your topic, and my chairman actually told me to think of something and then run it by the chief. He/she may not want you to present on your research/papers (mine didn’t), as this is something you already know tons about, and as I mentioned earlier, the point of the presentation is for YOU to learn - if others learn from your presentation that is icing on the cake.

So learn, do your best, make an effort to provide a couple of important findings from the most current papers on your topic, run the topic by your chief, and you’ll do fine. Most importantly, relax and enjoy it. Your ability to perform gracefully and confidently under pressure is also an important feature of your future suitability as a neurosurgical resident.