How Podcasts Combat Infectious Disease Misinformation: A Research Study

As legacy media faces financial difficulties, people struggle to find reliable medical information, especially regarding infectious diseases. Richard Oehler, MD, and Ju Hee Katzman, MD, published a guide highlighting credible audio podcasts focused on infectious diseases to combat misinformation.

Podcasts are effective in sharing medical knowledge. They allow listeners to absorb information while engaging in other activities, such as driving or exercising. “Podcasts can reach learners anytime and anywhere,” Katzman explained. The format can present scientific findings in simpler terms, making complex topics more accessible.

In the past 15 years, podcasts have transformed into a major industry with around 500 million listeners globally. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in infectious disease podcasts, catering to the need for timely updates. However, many experts and students remain unaware of these resources.

Podcasts might lack peer review, raising concerns about data accuracy. Oehler emphasized that users can assess a podcast’s credibility by checking descriptions, ratings, and peer-reviewed references.

The authors identified 38 popular podcasts, including:

• “This Podcast Will Kill You,” covering deadly diseases.
• “Osterholm Update,” by Dr. Michael Osterholm, discussing current disease outbreaks.
• “Contagion: An Infectious Diseases Podcast,” by USF Health faculty, focusing on topics like mosquito-borne infections and COVID-19.

The study highlights podcasting’s pros and cons:

Advantages:

• COVID-19 led to a surge in infectious disease podcasts, meeting demand for accessible information.
• Podcasts reach a diverse audience, with popular shows attracting hundreds of thousands of listeners.
• They cover various topics, aiding public understanding and medical education.
• Their convenience allows the medical community to stay updated as knowledge advances rapidly.

Disadvantages:

• Retaining information can be challenging when multitasking.
• Episode quality and lengths vary, impacting listener experience.

The study suggests that podcasts can grow in credibility and serve as tools in combatting misinformation, enriching educational resources for healthcare professionals.