Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (04/14/23) Kelly, Jessica M.; Perseghin, Andrea; Dow, Alan; et al.

For this study, researchers examined podcasts for continuing education (CE). Specifically, they evaluated practitioners who use podcasts for CE, feelings toward the use of podcasting for CE and intended practice changes stemming from CE-related podcasts. CE data was taken from a post-podcast assessment conducted between February 2021 and August 2021 for two free podcasts and from linked episode data containing podcast downloads. During the seven-month time frame, listeners downloaded 972,691 episodes and claimed 8,182 CE credits, accounting for less than 1% of total downloads. Physicians, physician assistants, nurses and pharmacists claimed CE credit; however, most claimants had no affiliation with an academic institution. Listeners were primarily motivated by subjects of interest, relevance to a patient and topics with which they were less comfortable. Most participants acquiring CE — 98% — said they planned to implement post-podcast practice changes. The researchers found the small number of listeners who claimed CE credits were nevertheless diverse and interprofessional. "Listeners select podcasts to fill self-identified learning needs," they noted. "Overwhelmingly, listeners report podcast CE changes intended practice." The authors suggested future study should look examine "facilitators and barriers to CE uptake and on patient health outcomes."

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