Presented By: Ryan Dillard, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Co-Authors: Sarah Donohue, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
AJ Pool, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Marcus Rossi, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

Purpose 
The study aims to understand which aspects of podcasts are effective for disseminating knowledge, especially for medical students. Podcasts are popular, with 62% of Americans over age 12 listening to them. However, there is a lack of podcasts specifically designed for medical students. To address this gap, ""The Anatomy of a Medical Student"" podcast was created by two third-year medical students from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, to highlight experiences of medical students. This podcast is designed as a look beyond the classroom, sharing the unspoken essentials of student knowledge. 

Methods 
The podcast covers topics relevant to medical students, including study efficiency, success in clerkships, and managing student loans. It features discussions by the hosts and insights from guest physicians. To gather listener preferences and enhance the podcast, a six-week survey was conducted. Qualitative analysis was performed to identify themes from responses. 

Results 
"The Anatomy of a Medical Student" podcast earned a five-star rating, 73 subscribed listeners, and an audience across 34 countries. In the first survey week, 10% of subscribed listeners responded. The results showed a strong preference (86%) for personal stories and experiences episodes. 85% of listeners stream medical podcasts at least once a month. The ability to multitask was identified as the primary reason for podcast usage, 43% sighting driving as a specific example. 

Conclusion 
Podcasts are underutilized tools in modern education. They cater to the needs of today's students, who prefer multitasking and personal, relatable content. To enhance their effectiveness, podcasts should consider factors like average commute times and guest speakers who can share experiences relevant to the current medical student audience.