(1095) "PICU Doc on Call" Podcasts in Pediatric Critical Care Education: A Two-Year Follow-Up Analysis

Introduction: In pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM), free open access medical education (FOAM) podcasts are emerging as a preferred method for learning. Established in 2021, the podcast, "PICU Doc on Call," covers essential PCCM topics in a case based format. While embraced anecdotally, a gap exists in the empirical evaluation of this novel medium's reach and efficacy within PCCM education. Our retrospective study seeks to explore the educational breadth of the podcast reflecting the contemporary shift toward technology-enabled learning within the PCCM community.

Methods: Over a 2 year period, "PICU Doc on Call" published audio segments to cover PCCM content. Episodes were designed to illuminate clinical pearls, board review content, & avenues for further exploration. Episodes were disseminated on Twitter, and readily accessible on a multitude of hosting platforms. Podcasts were categorized into playlists. To assess quantitative impact, the study's focus encompassed download frequency, geographic reach, and listener behavior, employing Captivate FM, a podcast analytics program.

Results: From February 2021 to July 2023, "PICU Doc on Call" released a total of 76 episodes, amassing 94.7 thousand all-time downloads. These downloads were distributed with an average of 105 per day, 733 per week, and 9,430 per 90-day interval. Content was organized into ten playlists by organ system, averaging 10 episodes per playlist. The episode titled 'Approach to Acid Base Disorders,' published in July 2022, achieved the highest proportion of all-time downloads at 2.1%. Nationally, the podcast reached a ranking of 62 in the 'Medicine' category on Apple Podcasts within a one-year period. Geographically, downloads spanned 71 countries and 47 U.S. states, with Georgia accounting for the majority (15.7%). Users predominantly accessed episodes via Apple Podcasts (46%), with 15.6% utilizing a mobile app & iOS operating system. The podcast received 54 ratings on Apple Podcasts, maintaining an impressive average score of 4.9 out of 5.

Conclusions: In a two-year analysis, 'PICU Doc on Call' exhibited significant reach in PCCM. The findings support future refinement of this audio-learning tool, aligning with current trends in medical education. Future research into listener demographics may refine and augment this educational tool.