Utilizing a podcast to supplement common medication learning

Introduction

Podcasts are a popular way to learn and engage at the convenience of the listener. Education is incorporating podcasts to supplement and reinforce students learning inside and outside the classroom.

Methods

The authors created a podcast covering the Top 200 commonly prescribed medications. This was to help students recall and reinforce medication knowledge they typically must learn on their own.

Results

Student performance on post-tests improved (p = 0.0011) compared to pre-tests with an effect size r of 0.39 (0.37, 0.32, and 0.42 for P1, P2 and P3 respectively). Students reported the content was easy to follow, and they enjoyed learning from other students. The total number of plays for the podcast as of 19 July 2023 were 882. Each episode had a range of one to 89 number of plays.

Discussion

The podcast was well received by students, and drug knowledge increased. While the podcasts were shorter in time, they still provided the foundational information for a first-year pharmacy student to know. Overall, podcasts provide another way to help students retain and reinforce material learned inside and outside the classroom.