Trainee Case Presentations

Introduction

Seminars and meetings are built into the timetable to provide informal learning opportunities and strengthen communication within the programme. Across all three years, trainees take part in case presentations.

Guidelines for Case Presentations Purpose and Guidelines

Case presentations are a mandatory component of the programme. They allow trainees to:

• practise presentation skills and share clinical work with peers

• present clinical formulations grounded in evidence-based literature

• facilitate group discussion and generate new ideas

• self-evaluate and receive formative feedback

A member of the staff year team attends each presentation, offering feedback alongside the trainee’s self-assessment. While not formally assessed, this feedback can contribute to the Personal Development Review.

Further guidance and training materials are available: Training Presentation Guidance

Timetable Structure

• Year 1: Present to own cohort; attend mixed groups with Year 2.

• Year 2: Present to mixed Year 1–2 group; attend mixed groups with Year 3.

• Year 3: Present to mixed Year 2–3 group.

Procedure

• Select a piece of work to present, usually individual clinical work. One presentation across the three years may instead focus on group interventions, training, consultation, or leadership (see Year 3 note below).

• Work should not overlap with assignments or Clinical Practice Reports. Seek advice from your personal/clinical tutor if unsure.

• Presentations last 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of discussion.

• Complete the self-evaluation form (on Blackboard) within one week and return it to the staff member present, who will add feedback. Copies are retained as evidence for the Personal Development Review.

• Trainees may request additional feedback meetings and can also gather peer feedback for inclusion on the form.

Choosing Work

Presentations need not describe ‘perfect’ cases. Useful options include:

• early or provisional formulations

• challenging or blocked work

• cases with unexpected outcomes

The focus is on learning and reflection, including diversity, inter-professional working, and appropriate self-disclosure. Presentations should complement, not duplicate, Clinical Practice Reports.

Presentation Structure

Presentations are usually delivered in PowerPoint, though alternatives can be agreed in advance.  Trainees should ensure that presentations are appropriately anonymous. There is no fixed structure, but the following outline may be used: 

Assessment-Focused Work:

• Rationale for case selection

• Referral context and background information

• Assessment methods, rationale and alternatives considered

• Findings and interpretation, including systemic/diversity issues

• Formulation(s) with reference to literature and guidelines

• Risk management and intervention planning

• Communication of findings (e.g. reports, letters, verbal feedback)

• Service-user perspective

• Learning outcomes

Assessment + Intervention Work (as above, plus):

• Intervention options, linked to formulation(s) and evidence base

• Therapeutic process and relationship

• Reformulations and adaptations

• Maintenance, follow-up and relapse prevention

• Outcome evaluation and side effects

• Critical reflection on outcomes and alternatives

All presentations should include reflection on relationships, process, diversity and inter-professional issues. Presenters normally facilitate the discussion that follows.

Year 3 Presentations

In Year 3, trainees may choose to present:

• an overview of specialist clinical work, or

• an aspect of emerging leadership in placement.

Aims include linking personal placement experiences with broader ways of working across specialties, and considering the developmental shift from training to qualified practice. Presentations may include:

• information about the setting/team/service

• nature of referrals and client issues

• indirect work, consultation and leadership

• relevant models or approaches (e.g. physical health, forensic, leadership frameworks)

• case vignettes or formulations

• service development or community psychology perspectives

Please note Each trainee must complete one case presentation per year. If unable to present due to illness, annual leave or other reasons, an alternative slot must be arranged with the year group and staff team.