If you are anything like my technologically challenged self – you have probably never figured out how/what a podcast is. I remember when I got my first smart phone – I took one look at the podcast app, bundled it up with all the other useless preinstalled apps, and never thought about it again.
But alas, I have since had to take back my hasty judgements, and accept that there has been a goldmine of information and entertainment that I have just been sitting on.
There are so many unique, talented, and interesting people/channels to listen to and watch. Plus, there is the added benefit of it being easily download-able. So unlike a website or a YouTube video, you are not shackled to the always volatile WiFi Gods. You can download it right onto your phone and listen to it without the internet!
But more specifically talking about medicine, I’ve recently discovered so many channels that cover various medical topics. One of my biggest struggles during third year was the lack of regular lectures. Without that structure that I’ve been used to for the past 20+ years of my educational life, it’s been tricky to muster up the motivation to study – especially after having been at the hospital or office all day.
Thus podcasts have been my savior. I can listen to them while at the gym, taking the metro, cooking dinner, walking places, grocery shopping, etc. It is the epitome of multi-tasking that is invaluable in med school.
Of course, if you are using these to study, make sure they have accurate information. Fact check! Fact check! Fact check! And I would still recommend a textbook every once in a while. They say video killed the radio star – but as great as podcasts are, don’t let it kill the textbook (that dusty old thing you have propping up your computer actually has tons of good information in it).
