How can you use public speaking to advocate for patients?

Tell a story. Get the buy in. Explain what is needed. Advise how to get it. Show the seed. These need to meet your target audience. Think TEDx, 15 minutes to teach and compel change. That should be your target. Reshape that 15 minutes to your audience. Tell stories of patients or have patients tell their stories. Use emotion, empathy, compassion then bring it all together like a cement block by provide structure of what it takes to achieve what you require. Others, they just want the facts, a summary with the highlights of bullet points and leave them with the full document either in the inbox or document hard copy for later review.

I have a strong interest in amplifying the need for cultural considerations for older adult populations in the United States. An effort I made this year was gathering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion data from healthcare providers (primarily consultant pharmacists who practice in long-term care, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, etc.) to illuminate trends in these practice settings. After collecting and analyzing the data, I stratified by geography and brought the data back to the individuals who participated at their regional meetings os they could understand their local trends, how their voice made an impact, and participate in discussion to be included in the next steps that would be best for their community!

Research and provide the sources. Once you have the information you need then research for informal to disprove yourself. That way you are prepared to argue with more perspectives than one and prepared for counter argument. Preparation to do what is in the best interest of the patient takes knowing both sides of the coin and alternatives

The verbal transition is most effective when associated with pauses and body language. Being open, confident, knowing how to handle a fall or a comment or jab from the audience in a manner that would calm the situation or with humour.

At times this isn't possible, usually when it forms part of an interview and you do not know the questions that will be presented. So rehearsal is imperative and when questions are asked, take your sip of water to give you time to form a response that will provide an answer without rising into it.

Prepare for the unprepared. Prepare for power outage, tech failure, alternative media. Ensure the ability to create visualisation to yaks the place of tech or presentations. Learn to project. Work on your ability to reach the back of the room without needing amplifier devices.