Learning on the Go: Assessing Knowledge Gained From Medical Podcasts Created for Vulvovaginal Disease Education

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of “The Vulva Diaries” podcast as a novel learning tool for vulvovaginal disease education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical students and residents were invited to participate in the study using social media advertisements. Online pretests and posttests, one based on a podcast episode regarding genital herpes and the other on lichen sclerosus, were used to assess changes in knowledge level pre– and post–podcast listening in medical students and residents respectively. A second posttest was sent out 2 weeks after the first to assess knowledge retention. Results were analyzed using paired t tests comparing mean scores before and after podcast. RESULTS: In medical students, the average test score increased by 20% (n = 56, p < .001). Similarly, in residents the average test score increased by 23.1% (n = 22, p < .001). Medical students and residents rated their average preference for using podcasts as compared with other resources at 3.6 and 3.7/5, respectively. Furthermore, in both groups, there was no significant difference between average scores for posttest 1 versus posttest 2 written 2 weeks later suggested excellent knowledge retention. CONCLUSIONS: “The Vulva Diaries” podcast increases knowledge on vulvovaginal disease and is an effective learning tool for health care trainees in women's health. This study emphasizes the role of podcasts as a valuable educational resource within gynecology. The success of such initiatives will hopefully bolster the effort to correct the lack of provider knowledge in treating vulvovaginal diseases.