Grand Rounds: What is the Point?

Giving a Grand Rounds Presentation

“…Other learner-centered strategies may be engaged either before or after the actual presentation. These include proactively working with conference coordinators to define the learners' expectations and traditions, 20 performing a needs assessment to engage learners and create focus for the presenter, 5,7,9,10 intentionally sequencing a series of presentations with complementary themes to repeat and expand key points, 9,10 and communicating a commitment to change learner behavior to learners. 9 Studies report that the evaluation component of Grand Rounds is neglected in many settings.…”

“…[4][5][6] The topic focused on a specific disorder or biomedical issue and a patient was often present for interview and examination. [3][4][5]7,8 Over time, this interactive, patient-focused, and problembased model evolved into a didactic, topic-oriented lecture most often supported by slides. [3][4][5][6][9][10][11][12] This shift may have advantages when the objective is to transmit a large amount of information appropriately critiqued in terms of level of evidence.…”

Can We Make Grand Rounds “Grand” Again?

“…8 The literature also suggests that the relevance of grand rounds is declining. 1,5,7,[9][10][11][12] With decreasing attendance and a format that is drastically different from its original design, some have proposed forgoing the term ''grand rounds.'' 5,13,14 Several studies, surveys, and editorials have tried to explain the possible reasons for the declining relevance of grand rounds and identified different strategies to make them more effective, but to date no scholarly work has systematically aggregated this information.…”

The majority of bold statements expressed during grand rounds lack scientific merit

“…During the first years of training, medical knowledge is derived from textbooks, continuing medical education courses, journal articles and online resources. However, in day‐to‐day practice, a substantial proportion of medical knowledge is transferred orally to residents from senior staff members during grand rounds 1,2 . Although this transfer of knowledge is always well intended and usually correct, medical residents should keep an open mind as to whether some of the more exotic statements that may be made are actually true.…”

“…However, in day-to-day practice, a substantial proportion of medical knowledge is transferred orally to residents from senior staff members during grand rounds. 1,2 Although this transfer of knowledge is always well intended and usually correct, medical residents should keep an open mind as to whether some of the more exotic statements that may be made are actually true. Senior staff frequently make bold statements during grand rounds about material that may be less well known, but medically important.…”