As a self-professed "fast talker", I do not consider myself a natural lecturer. The success I have been able to have as a speaker has come with a good deal of self-reflection and even more practice on my part. I like to think that my lecturing style is energetic, collaborative, and familiar. It has been an ongoing challenge to rein in my pace and personality so that my talks can become more easily understood and effective. I was lucky to receive insightful, constructive feedback early in my training that has resulted in presentations on the national stage. Please feel free to review selected feedback from peers and faculty.
Ultrasound Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy July, 2018
This talk from early in my training was very typical of my early attempts at public speaking. The talk was overstuffed for the time limit, delivered far too rapidly, and accompanied by a fair-share of nervous energy
Brief Talk: Hyperleukocytosis in the ED December, 2018
Here, I began to get some recognition for my humor and thorough preparation. I had been able to make some improvements but still struggled with speed and smoothing out my palpable nervousness.
Images Minute: Unstable Pelvic Fractures October, 2019
This talk was my first attempt at incorporating narrative throughout a didactic lecture. Though the content should have been trimmed to better fit the time, my faculty reviews noted my well-rehearsed delivery and improved speaking skills. I later adapted to this talk into a shorter version that I delivered at Rocky Mountain Winter Conference in Emergency Medicine in 2020.
Trauma Conference: Penetrating Extremity Trauma May, 2020
My first talk delivered via Zoom. By this point in my training, I was working to improve audience participation, something made more challenging by the virtual format.
Communicating with the Families of Critically Ill Emergency Department Patients December, 2020
By the time I gave this talk, I had presented at two national conferences along and a large Chicago-wide emergency medicine conference. This practice prepared me to give this intensely personal talk that relates the critically important topic of Post Intensive Care Syndrome to my experiences coping with the life-threatening trauma of a close family member. Review slides and script here.
"This was one of the most stirring and impactful talks of this format that I have heard over the 5 years that I have been at Northwestern" - NS
Emergency Medicine Morbidity and Mortality Conference January, 2021
My final talk given as an emergency medicine resident. The M&M format is inherently discussion-based so I was glad to receive feedback that I had facilitated conversation regarding the case being presented.
Balancing teaching with patient throughput in a busy academic department is a constant challenge. The way in which we assess trainees presentations and probe for understanding has huge impacts on the way they learn. I am constantly working to improve my bedside teaching skills and become more aware of how I can better promote learning and discussion. A selection of feedback regarding my clinical teaching skills can be found below.
"Dr, McCauley is already showing strong interest and skill with educating junior residents. Excellent teaching points on all of his intern's patients and did a fantastic job teaching" - attending feedback, 2019
"Listens thoughtfully to resident presntations" - attending feedback, 2020
"You do a really nice job of engaging learners on the team. On a few instances, I noticed you used some 'read my mind' questions, which can put the learners on the defensive. I continue to work on removing this question construct from my vocabulary, but as a natural educator and someone who will be supervising learners throughout fellowship and beyond, keep working on identifying when you ask these types of questions" - attending feedback, 2021
"Positive leadership style...did a nice job incorporating on-shift teaching during slower periods, engaged the PGY1 and M4 while listening attentively to their presentations" - attending feedback, 2021
He is an excellent and patient teacher with the residents, particularly when it comes to procedures -- he gives very clear, step-by-step explanations of how to use the ultrasound. Also provides, clear, positive, EBI feedback. - critical care attending feedback 2021
Very good knowledge of literature. Incorporates evidence-based medicine in addition to physiology when teaching residents. - critical care attending feedback 2022
"Your enthusiasm for emergency medicine is contagious and you always find a teaching point from each patient. I always come away from shift feeling like I learned something new and more excited to come to work the next day"
- Anonymous Junior Resident Feedback
I've had plentiful opportunities to work closely with medical students both inside and outside of the clinical environment. I enjoy bringing my excitement for resuscitation and medicine into the simulation lab. Medical school can be an incredibly stressful time so I always seek to create a psychologically safe and welcoming learning environment by being as approachable as possible and welcoming students to speak up even if they are unsure: we can all learn from wrong answers. I'm currently focusing on my time management during simulation and ultrasound sessions as I have noticed that I occasionally will step outside of scope of the topic at hand to answer a fascinating question pertaining to physiology or clinical practice.
Feinberg School of Medicine MS4 Capstone Course: First Night On-Call Simulation April, 2019
Feinberg School of Medicine MS2 Synthesis and Application Module II March 2020
"[Matt] offered a great balance of sitting back and letting us lead and intervening to keep us moving along. He also created a really friendly learning environment!"
- MS2 Feedback
Northwestern Emergency Medicine gives residents the opportunity to anonymously evaluate their peers and senior residents. It is incredibly important to me for my trainees to look forward to working with me as a clinician and educator so I am incredibly grateful to receive this feedback. I've saved some of the more affirming comments; they always motivate me to bring my best to each and every shift.
Feinberg School of Medicine Outstanding Professionalism Award 2021
Northwestern Emergency Medicine Residency : Best Procedural Teacher 2021
Northwestern Emergency Medicine Residency: Best Resident Lecturer 2021
Northwestern Emergency Medicine Residency: Innovator in Medical Education 2021
CORD EM Clinical Pathologic Case Conference Semifinals 2020: Best Resident Lecturer Division III
Feinberg School of Medicine Outstanding Resident Teacher Award 2018, 2019, & 2020
Photo Credits
Home Page Header Photo: Bow Range of the Rocky Mountains, taken by my wife, Kelsey McCauley
Teaching Activities Header Photo: CORD 2020 presentation, taken by my friend and mentor, Dr. Matt Klein
Professional Development Header Photo: The NUEM Class of 2021, taken by world-class program coordinator Chelsea Harrison
Reflections and Feedback Header Photo: Glenn Canyon National Monument, taken by Matt McCauley