Podcasts have been enjoying a boom in recent years, with one in eight people in the UK listening to podcasts each week (Ofcom, 2019). Simply put, podcasts are internet radio that is available on demand and accessed via podcast players (University of Edinburgh, 2020). On smartphones and other digital devices, the players for podcasts are apps, which can be downloaded or may come pre-installed. Podcast listeners use a range of service providers (for example BBC Sounds, Spotify, YouTube and Apple) (Ofcom, 2020), and listeners can subscribe to podcasts to listen to new episodes as they are released.
Podcasts cover a range of genres, including entertainment, news and current affairs, and a range of factual content such as health and education (Ofcom, 2020). From a radio perspective, Minnell (2020), podcast editor for public service broadcaster the BBC World Service, outlines three types of podcasts. First, ‘true’ podcasts (audio specifically designed for a podcast audience). These typically have an intimate feel and tone, creating immersive audio. Second, podcasts that emerge serendipitously when creating radio programmes and it becomes apparent that they will make good podcasts. Third, podcasts that form a catch-up/download service for radio programmes broadcast on air, which listeners can enjoy at a time convenient to them as downloads. Organisations and individuals outside conventional radio are increasingly creating podcasts as a medium to reach their target audiences, fuelling the recent boom.
This burgeoning trend has even created International Podcast Day (Ofcom, 2021), which celebrates the global reach and power of podcasts.
Digital futures supporting learning and high-quality care
Digital health is a key driver within current UK maternity policy. One example is NHS England and NHSX (2021) investment to secure user and clinician access to maternity records on smartphones and other electronic devices by 2023/24. Advancing digital learning is at the heart of UK Higher Education (Iosad, 2020), and digital skills are explicit within the standards of proficiency for midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2019). At the point of registration and when registrants revalidate, midwives must be able to demonstrate skills of ‘digital media and technological literacy’ (NMC, 2019).
Podcasts for learning, reflection and continuous professional development
For busy learners and professionals, well-produced podcasts can be an excellent way of introducing and exploring a range of topics in free, accessible formats. Such learning also has the advantages of being ‘asynchronous’, ie podcasts can be listened to at a time convenient to the individual. Podcasts can inform and engage individuals considering applying to study midwifery, students on programmes leading to registration and registrants undertaking continuous professional development and revalidation (NMC, 2022).
Within midwifery education, podcasts act as valuable learning resources, providing variety and supporting individual learners' preferred learning modalities. For example, the VARK model of learning (Fleming, 2022) identifies four tendencies in learning, namely: visual (V) (flow charts, maps, spider diagrams), aural/auditory (A) (heard or spoken information, for example, in discussion, lectures and radio), read/write (R) (information displayed as words, reading and writing in many forms such as books, journal articles, reports, lists) and kinesthetic (K) (which uses experience and practice—real or simulated—such as demonstration, experiments and hands-on activities). Podcasts fall within the aural/auditory domain and can be particularly appealing to neurodiverse learners, such as those with dyslexia (Parsons, 2021).
On educational programmes, podcasts can be embedded in virtual learning environments within suites of complementary learning materials. They can also be used in ‘flipped learning’, an approach where learning materials are introduced before live (virtual or face to face) classroom time, which focuses on engaging activities to embed and deepen learning, and thus enhance knowledge application (Advance HE, 2017).
An auditory world of learning: examples of relevant podcasts
Podcasts are an excellent medium to disseminate information, stimulate debate, explore topical issues and gain detailed and reflective insight into valuable lived experiences. There is a wealth of podcast content relevant to contemporary midwifery, maternity and healthcare, which encompasses practice, professional issues, policy, national and global perspectives, parenting, women's health and LGBTQ+ issues. Also of particular note is the growth of podcasts that support health, wellbeing and self care. This vital agenda is key to support professionals and students working and learning in the currently challenging landscape of maternity care, as reflected in the standards of proficiency for midwives (NMC, 2019) and current texts (Kuipers, 2021; Smith, 2021). Box 1 includes podcast examples that can be used in current midwifery teaching/learning.
Box 1.Podcasts to enhance learning in midwiferyWoman's Hour (BBC Radio 4/BBC Sounds)First class, insightful journalism on a range of national and international women's issues, which often features maternity and midwifery content. Listeners can subscribe to daily podcasts of the live weekday shows.The Midwives' CauldronThis excellent midwifery focused podcast is hosted by Katie James and Dr Rachel Reed. It features interviews with esteemed guests such as Dr Sara Wickhan and Professor Amy Brown and probes key topics in depth.Pride and Joy (BBC Sounds)Queer parenting is explored by Freddie McConnell, transgender man and single dad who speaks to a diverse range of guests. An illuminating and valuable listen.Out with Suzi Ruffell (Keep it Light Media)This excellent and engaging podcast series is hosted by the inspirational Suzi Ruffell and shares experiences of coming out by a range of LGBTQI+ people.‘How do you cope?’ with Ellis and John (BBC 5/BBC Sounds)Elis James and John Robins host this enlightening podcast that explores a range of lived experiences. Stand out episodes include Emma Barnett talking about life with endometriosis and Candice Brathwaite reflecting on her experience of black British motherhood.The Vagina Museum podcastA thought-provoking, short series that accompanies the pioneering work of the Vagina Museum. Topics support its inclusive mission, which encompasses spreading knowledge and raising awareness of gynaecological anatomy and health.TheObsPodNHS obstetrician Dr Florence Darling shares insights and experiences on her role, and explores informative, evidence-based obstetric/maternity topics such as the placenta, herpes and the role of reception staff in maternity units.The RCM podcastA range of topical midwifery content produced by the Royal College of Midwives, such as race, student midwives and digital transformation.The King's Fund PodcastThis diverse series covers a range of interesting health and care issues each month, such as Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC speaking on leadership and regulation.
Conclusion
The growth of podcasts as a highly accessible media format has created a range of learning opportunities for midwives, students and aspiring professionals. Good quality podcasts are highly recommended as an accessible and personalised means to introduce and develop knowledge, share insights and enhance learning within an increasingly digital age.