Lecture skills in medical education

The lecture is the most common method of transmitting information in medical schools and continuing medical education. In recent years this educational method has received considerable criticism because of poor lecturers and poor learning. The major advantage of the lecture is the ability to teach pertinent up-to-date information in an efficient manner. The major limitation is the passivity of the method with the teacher speaking and the listener passively receiving the material with considerable opportunity to be bored. The effective techniques of lecturing are: 1) environment aids learning: 2) an introduction perks interest; 3) stating objectives helps audience to respond analytically; 4) outlining a lecture helps clear thinking; 5) non-verbal behavior increases learning; 6) use of voice shows interest and clarity; 7) content is understood if it fits objectives; 8) organized lecture fits the time available; 9) visual aids used should be clear and understandable; 10) a summary helps to retain what is learned; 11) closure should be upbeat and should restate objectives; 12) questions should be answered succinctly. The medical lecturer can improve his skills by studying them, rehearsing while being observed by colleagues and by performing a self-analysis of video-taped lectures.