Twelve Tips for ‘Clinical Tweeting’ – Teaching and learning a concise way of presenting clinical information

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Background: Tweeting is a social media concept familiar to most surgical trainees; succinct communication through limited characters. Most clinicians find presenting clinical information this way difficult however it helps develop prioritisation of information and key viva skills for examinations. Aims: We aim to teach trainees to use the tweet model to flourish in clinical communication and to aid in exam success. Methods: Our article highlights our experience of this method. Results: Our 12 tips help the clinician to prioritise, summate and efficiently verbally communicate key information in the context of discussing a referral or presenting examination findings. The first six steps explain how to 'tweet' and the last six steps outline how to teach the skill. Conclusions: By using the tips provided clinicians will develop good communication skills. Furthermore these tips can be used as a good teaching tool for the development of undergraduate and postgraduate skills.