by Dilan Patel, BSPS, PharmD Candidate

“Most People I know are interested in on-demand stuff; podcasts are essentially audio Netflix” – Jordan Narbinger

The medical and pharmaceutical industry is ever-changing. There are new technological advances that are described, created, and marketed every day. Researchers are always looking for ways to improve healthcare products, systems, and strategies. And the pharmaceutical industry is constantly developing new drugs and vaccines.

Since 2017, the pharmaceutical market has grown at an annual rate of 5.8%.(1) And medical knowledge is doubled every 73 days!(2) It’s no wonder it can be hard to keep up with the latest advances. But podcasts are a convenient and accessible way to keep up with information that can enhance your practice and improve patient care.

A podcast is a digital audio file (episode), often released as a series of episodes, distributed on the Internet, and focuses on a single topic or theme. Most listeners access podcasts using a podcast app (like Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or Overcast) on their smartphone. Podcasts are usually led by an individual or individuals who engage in conversations, share stories, or report information about the topic or theme. Not all podcasts are educationally oriented – many are produced for entertainment purposes, but there are lots of medical and pharmacy-related podcasts available.

Listening to a medical or pharmacy-related podcast can provide several benefits for busy health professionals:

• You can multitask while listening. Time is a big factor for healthcare professionals because of busy schedules, and podcasts are a great way to catch up on new information while doing something like driving to and from work.
• Help manage stress. Working in healthcare can be very stressful, and listening to a podcast is an effective stress management technique.
• Become a better listener. Being a better listener can help you engage more effectively with patients, friends, family, and colleagues. (4)
• Podcasts are more engaging than reading articles or textbooks. Let’s face it – it can be boring reading a review article or scholarly paper. A podcast is a great way to learn through dialog and stories.(4)
• Podcasts are on-demand, anytime, anywhere. Having information on-demand reduces the need for travel and scheduling your day to participate in a specific activity at a specific time.(3)

There are a large number of healthcare-related podcasts that people can listen to, but it is important to listen to authoritative podcasts that provide evidence-based information. Below is a short list of podcasts that can help you “Keep Up.”

• New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) This Week – weekly 30-minute podcast
• JAMA Medical News – monthly 15-minute podcast
• Pharmacy Times (Pharmacy Focus) – 10-15 minute podcasts
• PharmacyForward (University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy) – 20-30 minute podcasts
• iForumRx (The Evidence That Informs Ambulatory Care Practice) – 15-20 minute podcasts

With new health and drug therapy information constantly coming out, it can be hard to keep up with the latest developments. Reading articles and attending conferences is great, BUT they can be costly and time-consuming. Listening to podcasts on-demand is a great way to learn about advances in healthcare. I recently started listening to pharmacy podcasts, and find it a convenient way to learn about new medications and patient care strategies.

1. González Peña OI, López Zavala MÁ, Cabral Ruelas H. Pharmaceuticals Market, Consumption Trends and Disease Incidence Are Not Driving the Pharmaceutical Research on Water and Wastewater. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18(5):2532.

2. Densen P. Challenges and opportunities facing medical education. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc 2011;122:48-58.

3. Newman J, Liew A, Bowles J, Soady K, Inglis S. Podcasts for the Delivery of Medical Education and Remote Learning. J Med Internet Res 2021 Aug 27;23(8):e29168.

4. Mosquera, E., 2022. Why Medical Podcasts Are Important For Practitioners. [online] Fullscript. Available at: <https://fullscript.com/blog/medical-podcasts> [Accessed 19 September 2022].