Table 1 Characteristics and thematic classification of included studies this table combines the core characteristics of the 21 included studies with their thematic classification, as identified during the synthesis. Themes reflect the studies’ primary educational focus: effectiveness, challenges, or integration
No. | Title | First Author | Publication Year | Journal | Study Design | Sample Size | Outcome | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | An Evaluation of Emergency Medicine Core Content Covered by Podcasts | Riddell J. | 2023 | Western Journal of Emergency Medicine | Retrospective review | N/A | Imbalanced coverage of EM core topics; gaps in musculoskeletal, hematology, and environmental content. | Other |
2 | Brain development, mental health and addiction: a podcast series for undergraduate medical education | J. MacDonald C. | 2013 | Interactive Technology and Smart Education | Qualitative Research | 19 | Positive reception for podcast use in medical education; suggestions for improvement implemented to meet user needs. | Other |
3 | Podcasting in medical education: a review of the literature. Korean journal of medical education | Cho D. | 2017 | Korean journal of medical education | Review of the literature | N/A | Podcasts are feasible and accepted by learners; limited evidence on efficacy and best practices; need for rigorous studies on behavior and patient outcomes. | Other |
4 | Learning through listening: a scoping review of podcast use in medical education | Kelly JM. | 2022 | Academic Medicine | Scoping review | N/A | Podcasts valued for portability, efficiency; improve knowledge and behavior; no data on patient outcomes. | Effectiveness |
5 | Health care professional and caregiver attitudes toward and usage of medical podcasting: questionnaire study | Lee C. | 2022 | JMIR pediatrics and parenting | Survey study | 251 | Health professionals engage more than parents; both value accuracy, transparency, and credibility. | Other |
6 | Short-duration podcasts as a supplementary learning tool: perceptions of medical students and impact on assessment performance | Prakash S. | 2017 | BMC medical education | Pre- and post-intervention | 94 | Short podcasts well-received; useful for revision; no overall score difference. | Other |
7 | Podcasts as an integral part of free open access medical education | Fernandes CAdS. | 2023 | Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica | Narrative review | N/A | Podcasts are a promising complementary tool; need evidence-based guidelines for development. | Integration |
8 | Depth of Anesthesia: A Podcast Project to Improve Perioperative Patient Care | Hao D. | 2021 | Transl Perioper & Pain Med | Descriptive analysis | N/A | Podcasts promote evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and global engagement in anesthesia. | Other |
9 | Education research: evaluating the use of podcasting for residents during EEG instruction: a pilot study. | Bensalem-Owen M. | 2011 | Neurology | Pre- and post-intervention | 10 | Podcast training as effective as traditional lectures for EEG knowledge improvement. | Effectiveness |
10 | Evaluation of a delirium awareness podcast for undergraduate nursing students in Northern Ireland: a pre−/post-test study | Mitchell G. | 2021 | BMC nursing | Pre- and post-intervention study with questionnaires assessing knowledge and confidence. | 320 | Podcast improved nursing students’ delirium knowledge and confidence significantly. | Effectiveness |
11 | Why not a podcast? Assessing narrative audio and written curricula in obstetrical neurology | Roth J. | 2020 | Journal of Graduate Medical Education | Randomized controlled trial | 60 | Podcasts and written materials improved knowledge equally; podcasts rated more enjoyable. | Effectiveness |
12 | Student-Led Medical Education Podcast Improves Academic Preparedness, Increases Sense of Belonging, and Enhances Wellness | Rachel M. | 2022 | Research Square | Survey | 143 | Student-run podcasts reduce stress, increase preparedness, and foster belonging. | Other |
13 | Characteristics of drug-related podcasts and this medium’s potential as a pharmacy education tool | Kane SP. | 2019 | American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education | Descriptive analysis | N/A | Drug-related podcasts are accessible but lack quality control; pharmacists underrepresented. | Challenges |
14 | How to create and evaluate a resident-led audio program: six clinical podcasts for medicine house staff | Ghiathi C. | 2020 | MedEdPORTAL | Pre- and Post-Intervention Study | 184 | Podcasting can be a resource for resident education and an opportunity for residents to grow as medical educators. | Other |
15 | Listen up: a systematic review of the utilization and efficacy of podcasts for medical education | Caldwell KE. | 2024 | Global Surgical Education-Journal of the Association for Surgical Education | Systematic review | N/A | Podcasts widely used but efficacy unclear; limited high-quality evidence supports their use. | Challenges |
16 | Live lecture versus video podcast in undergraduate medical education: A randomised controlled trial | Schreiber BE. | 2010 | BMC medical education | Crossover randomized controlled trial | 100 | No difference in knowledge recall; students preferred live lectures over podcasts. | Effectiveness |
17 | Creation of a Student-Run Medical Education Podcast: Tutorial | Kevin John M. | 2021 | JMIR medical education | Descriptive study | N/A | Student-run podcasts foster professional identity and near-peer mentoring; widely accessible. | Challenges |
18 | Effect of Interpolated Questions on Podcast Knowledge Acquisition and Retention: A Double-Blind, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial | Michael W. | 2020 | Annals of Emergency Medicine | Double-blind randomized controlled trial | 137 | Interpolated questions in podcasts improve knowledge retention, especially for highlighted material. | Effectiveness |
19 | Educational Impact of a Podcast Covering Vitreoretinal Topics: 1-Year Survey Results | Michael J. | 2019 | Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases | Cross-sectional survey | 16,016 | Podcasts valued for staying updated and learning; no replacement for traditional methods. | Effectiveness |
20 | Texting brief podcasts to deliver faculty development to community-based preceptors in longitudinal integrated clerkships | Bernstein J. | 2018 | MedEdPORTAL | Pre- and post-survey | 33 | Podcasts improved teaching practices; well-received by community-based preceptors. | Integration |
21 | A new podcast for reducing stigma against people living with complex mental health issues: Co-design study | Carrotte E. | 2023 | Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences | Mixed methods study (Cross-Sectional Survey & Qualitative Focus Groups) | 25 | reduce stigma through lived experience narratives. | Other |