Usage of Podcasts and Social Medias as Educational Strategies by Health and Rehabiliation Sciences Students: An Observational Study

Research Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of Health Sciences students using podcasts or social medias as educational strategy.

Design: A survey-based study. An anonymous survey (Google Forms) was distributed among undergraduate and graduate students in the Health Sciences Department at Central Washington University (Ellensburg, Washington) over a three-week period. The department offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs including Clinical Physiology, Exercise Sciences, Nutrition, Paramedicine, Public Health, Integrative Human Physiology, and Physical-Rehabilitation Therapy. The questionnaire included 12 questions including age, year in school, intended major, podcast or social medias usage for educational purposes in Health Sciences. Average time to complete the survey was five minutes.

Setting: Online based research. Participants were invited via electronic information and in person advertises in several classes.

Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students of any age and sex of the Health Sciences department at CWU were eligible to participate on the survey.

Interventions: An anonymous survey (Google Forms).

Main Outcome Measures: Podcast and social media usage for health science education.

Results: Out of 114 college age students (20.76 3.1 years) that participated on the survey 52 (45%) identified as women and 62 (55%) identified as man. 84 students (74%) reported to listen to podcast however, only 43 (37%) of students are using podcast for educational purposes. Only 6 students (5%) reported using educational podcasts with daily frequency, 13 (11%) monthly. 89 students (79%) reported that they would listen to a podcast that complemented their studies if there was one available. Students also reported on usage other educational resources, including YouTube (n= 78; 70%) for supplement their studies. Social medias were also reported as educational resources including Instagram (n=39; 34%) and 31 people (27%) reported using ticktock for studying. Facebook and X had low numbers of students that reported using these platforms for educational use, Facebook had a reported 3 people (2.7%) and X showed 8 people (7.1%).

Conclusions: We found that the majority of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences students do listen to podcasts. However, only half of those students listen for educational purposes. YouTube was the most common platform used as additional educational resource and there is a need for more educational podcasts reported by students.

Author(s) Disclosures: NA