Podcasts have dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why — they easily fit into our busy lives, can be both informative and entertaining, and are easily accessible while taking a study break or commuting between classes. About a quarter of Americans listen to at least one podcast per month, according to Edison Research, and 46% of listeners are between the ages of 18-34.
Below are some recommendations for medical podcasts to tune into this fall. You can find these on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Google Podcasts, or your podcast app of choice:
All Access: Med School Admissions
With so much information online about the medical school admissions process, it can be challenging to read it all and differentiate fact from fiction. So why not hear directly from people who will be reviewing your application? This podcast, hosted by Christian Essman, senior director of admissions at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, interviews admissions faculty from medical schools around the county. Each guest shares facts about their school, their admissions process, and what’s important to them when reading applications. Each episode also answers a handful of listener questions. By speaking directly to admissions faculty, the All Access: Med School Admissions podcast hopes to demystify the medical school admissions process.
The Premed Years
Started by Ryan and Allison Gray, a married couple who are both physicians, The Premed Years brings valuable information to premed students. Episodes feature tips on preparing for medical school, including everything from selecting your college courses, to finding shadowing and volunteer opportunities, to tips for writing your personal statement. This podcast is a go-to resource for all things related to the path to medical school.
The Undifferentiated Medical Student
Choosing a specialty in your 3rd year of medical school can be a daunting task. There are so many career options available, yet so little time to explore them all. This podcast highlights physicians from various specialties so you can learn more about each one and move past being an “undifferentiated” medical student. Each episode features at least one physician from each of the 120+ specialties listed on the AAMC's Careers in Medicine website, and asks each guest to:
- Discuss their specialty
- Share how they decided this specialty was right for them, and
- Offer advice on long-term career planning.
Bedside Rounds
Bedside Rounds is a storytelling podcast about medical history and medicine’s intersections with society and culture. Created by Adam Rodman, MD, a second-year resident at Oregon Health and Science University, Bedside Rounds informs and entertains listeners with narrative-based episodes that mimic the style of popular podcasts like Radiolab and 99% Invisible. Rodman now partners with the American College of Physicians to continue to produce new episodes. Anyone with a passion for medicine or history should tune in.
2 Docs Talk
2 Docs Talk is a podcast about health care, the science of medicine, and everything in between. Join co-hosts Kendall Britt, MD, and Amy Rogers, MD, for a 15-minute check-up on current issues in medicine and health policy. Recent episodes cover topics such as health care policy in the United States, physician burnout, and an update on Zika.
Did we miss your favorite podcast? Tell us what you’re listening to by tweeting us at @AAMCPreMed.