The Value of Podcasts for your CPD
Are you a doctor looking for an efficient way to learn while on-the-go? If so, podcasts might be the perfect solution for you. Whether you're commuting to work or need a break from reading medical journals, podcasts offer a great way to acquire new knowledge and skills. In this article, we'll explore the basics of podcasts, how they can help your learning, their limitations, and tips for selecting great podcasts. We'll also provide a list of recommended podcasts for junior doctors in Australia.
What is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio series available online. Like a TV or radio show, it’s made up of episodes and seasons. Listeners can subscribe to specific podcasts, download episodes as they become available, and listen to them whenever and wherever it’s convenient. The term “podcast” is derived from the words “iPod” and “broadcast,” and it has been growing in popularity since its inception in 2005.
Can I use podcasts for my CPD Home program?
The answer is yes! Podcasts are a recognised form of learning and most (if not all) CPD Home programs accept podcast learning for your Learning Activities section.
Who creates podcasts?
Podcasts can be created by anyone with an interest in a particular topic. They are not limited to professional broadcasters or media companies, giving voice to new perspectives and ideas. Many podcasts are created by individuals who are passionate about a specific subject, such as medicine or health. This has allowed for a variety of voices and perspectives to emerge, and for niche topics to be explored in depth.
However, it also means that the podcast environment is uncontrolled, so the quality and accuracy of information can be variable. You should always bear this in mind when selecting podcasts to listen to.
What are the benefits for your learning?
One of the greatest advantages of podcasts is their portability and convenience. You can listen to them while you’re doing other things, such as commuting, exercising, or cooking. This allows for efficient multitasking, and can help you make the most of your time. They also allow users to continue learning while taking a break from traditional methods, particularly screen-based learning.
Podcasts may also augment the learning process itself. Hearing the voice of the presenter gives the audience a stronger connection than simply reading the information on a web page. One reviewer suggested podcasting is the renewal of the dying form of verbal storytelling.
Moreover, podcasts stimulate mental imagery more intensely than watching or reading, and improves listeners’ attention. This is because when people listen to podcasts instead of watching them, it forces listeners to use their imagination and build the pictures in their mind.
Podcasts may also help us become better listeners, appreciate listening and pay more attention. Podcasts stimulate different parts of the brain, forcing us to actively listen, especially for a topics we’re truly interested in.
Another great benefit of listening to podcasts is the variety of new content you can access. Podcasts come in a variety of lengths, so it’s easy to listen to an episode even if you only have a half hour. In fact, medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet are using podcasts to discuss contemporary topics in medicine, further supporting the idea that medical podcasts can supplement more traditional forms of learning, such as peer-reviewed journal articles.
Podcasts have been instrumental in improving access to high quality content. They are relatively inexpensive to produce, are more accessible to resource-limited settings, and reduce the cost associated with conference attendance. The latter also has a positive effect on the environment.
Podcasts allow for rapid dissemination of up-to-date data and provide a range of perspectives to listeners (e.g., patient perspectives).
In surveys, students value the flexibility allowed by podcasts as this technology permitted “study where and when you want”. Being able to hear the content at their own pace, and to repeat as needed, is a common advantage reported by medical students.
What are the limitations?
One limitation of podcasts is that they may not be accessible to everyone. Low internet speed, filtering, and inability to use mobile devices, laptops or other portable devices in workplaces may pose a problem, however these limitations are becoming less and less relevant.
Additionally, podcasts can be time-consuming, are not searchable, and may have limited audiences. This limits the ability of the user to rapidly scan for information that is relevant to them.
Podcasts are unidirectional in their learning format - there is limited interaction with the podcast, which may inhibit learning. Furthermore, the concept of “zoning out” is common among podcast listeners, where concentration is lost resulting in ineffective learning.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, the quality and accuracy of information provided in podcasts can be variable and difficult to assess.
How can I listen to podcasts?
There are several platforms that you can use to listen to podcasts. Some of the most popular ones include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. You can download these apps on your smartphone or tablet, and then browse and subscribe to podcasts of your choice. Many podcasts can also be accessed directly from the website of the podcast creator.
You can also listen to a range of specifically selected podcasts for junior doctors on Osler, where you can directly add them to your CPD diary once you’ve finished.
How do I find podcasts to listen to, and how do I know if they are good?
There are several ways to find podcasts on topics of interest to you. You can browse podcast directories, such as Apple Podcasts, and search for keywords related to your area of interest. You can also ask your colleagues or search social media for recommendations. Additionally, many medical journals and organisations have their own podcasts, which can provide a wealth of information on current topics in medicine.
To determine if a podcast is worthwhile, you can look at factors such as the quality of the content, the expertise of the speakers, and the reviews from other listeners. You can also listen to a few episodes to get a sense of whether the podcast aligns with your interests and learning goals.
What are some good podcasts I can listen to?
There are many excellent podcasts on medicine and healthcare that are worth listening to. Here are a few examples:
On The Wards - A podcast series that provides practical advice and insights for junior doctors
Junior Doctors Corner podcast -a podcast created by a resident medical officer who was surprised at how lacking the support can be for junior doctors in the work environment.
Doctor-Doctor - A weekly show that informs, educates, and evangelizes through joy-filled, engaging, data-driven interviews and discussions, helping you live a more abundant life.
The Resus Room - Emergency Medicine podcasts based on evidence based medicine focussed on practice in and around the resus room.
Behind The Knife - From high-yield educational topics to interviews with leaders in the field, Behind the Knife delivers the information you need to know.
New England Journal of Medicine. Weekly audio summaries of their publications
The Lancet. The Lancet Voice
The Health Report - Hosted by Dr. Norman Swan, this ABC Radio National podcast covers the latest in medical research and health news.
Of course, the Osler podcast series has loads of content relevant to junior doctors, including our Careers in Health series where you can listen to senior specialists talk about their careers, and the Intern at Work series, which focusses on specific clinical events.
Conclusion
Podcasts are an efficient and convenient way for physicians to learn and expand their knowledge base. With the ever-evolving advancements in technology, it's critical that doctors find innovative and effective ways to keep up with their profession's developments. Podcasts offer an on-the-go option for learning that can increase knowledge, skills, and personal growth. While each podcast has its own benefits and drawbacks, with our recommended podcasts for junior doctors in Australia, you're sure to find a source of engaging content that will help improve your medical practice.
References And Further Reading
Business News Daily. (2018). How to Start a Business Podcast. Retrieved from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10327-how-to-start-a-business-podcast.html
UK Essays. (2018). Advantages and Disadvantages of Podcasts. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-language/report-on-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-podcasts-english-language-essay.php
Vast Solution. (2021). The Benefits of Listening to Podcasts. Retrieved from https://www.vastsolution.com/resources/the-benefits-of-listening-to-podcasts
Evergreen Podcasts. (2021). 7 Reasons You Need to Listen to Podcasts. Retrieved from https://evergreenpodcasts.com/blog/7-reasons-you-need-to-listen-to-podcasts
Entrepreneur. (2021). Podcast as Marketing Tool: It Creates Value for Listeners. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/growth-strategies/podcast-as-marketing-tool-it-creates-value-for-listeners/358877
The Podcast Host. (2021). Podcasting in Education: How, Why, and What for. Retrieved from https://www.thepodcasthost.com/niche-case-study/podcasting-in-education/
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. (2010). How do students use podcasts to support learning? Retrieved from https://ajet.org.au/index.php/AJET/article/view/1089
Academy Publication. (2012). Benefits of Using Podcasts in Medical Education. Retrieved from http://www.academypublication.com/issues/past/tpls/vol03/08/11.pdf
Forbes Agency Council. (2021). Who Listens to Podcasts and How Can You Reach Them? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/05/12/who-listens-to-podcasts-and-how-can-you-reach-them/?sh=5a6190f83e84
Computers & Education. (2008). The effectiveness of m-learning in the form of podcast revision lectures in higher education. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131507000670