Listen and learn with 2021’s most-downloaded AMA podcasts

Physicians and medical students’ time is more squeezed than ever by the new demands of practicing and studying amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So it should come as no surprise that a growing number of physicians and future doctors are taking advantage of listening to podcasts to enhance their knowledge of trends in medicine while commuting, running errands, making dinner or doing housework.

In 2021, more than 200,000 episodes of AMA podcasts were downloaded and about 80,000 listeners spent more than 130.7 million minutes learning from doctors and other experts who give voice to an array of original AMA podcasts.

Predictably, the most popular AMA podcast was “AMA COVID-19 Update,” where listeners can get the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines, variants and more reliable information directly from experts and physician leaders. “AMA COVID-19 Update” also is available to watch in video format.

Below, find 10 of our most-downloaded episodes in 2021 from across the AMA podcast network, including “AMA Moving Medicine” and “Making the Rounds.”

1. Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses Delta variant impact on both the young and the old

   1. This discussion with the Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, the AMA’s director of science, medicine and public health covered global COVID-19 milestones, booster shots, and offered more detail on “younger, sicker, quicker” trend.

2. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer explains boosters and the latest vaccine safety data

   1. Sandra Fryhofer, MD, is the AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup. In this episode, she shared details on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, reviewed vaccine safety data and discussed booster shots.

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3. The FDA's Dr. John Farley talks about why ivermectin should not be used to prevent or treat COVID

   1. John Farley, MD, MPH, directs the FDA’s Office of Infectious Diseases in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. He detailed what physicians and patients really need to know about ivermectin.

4. Paul Offit, MD, discusses the importance of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination

   1. Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, covers pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, mandates and boosters.

5. It takes a community: An empathetic approach to COVID-19 concerns

   1. In this episode of the “AMA Moving Medicine” podcast (launched in 2021 and also available in video format), Marcus Christopher Griffith, MD, emphasized the need for everyone to join forces to lead the fight against COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

6. Scope of practice and patient safety with Michaela Sternstein, JD

   1. Michaela Sternstein, JD, vice president of the AMA Advocacy Resource Center, discussed scope of practice and the AMA’s ongoing efforts to address this important issue on behalf of physicians.
   2. Learn how through research, advocacy and education, the AMA vigorously works to #StopScopeCreep.

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      Podcast series probes medical students’ questions on health IT

7. Physical distancing in schools: what doctors wish patients knew

   1. School physician Tyeese Gaines, DO, and Wayne Grody, MD, PhD, professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, discussed what they wish patients knew about physical distancing as a measure against COVID-19. They also recorded a separate episode on what doctors wish patients knew about COVID-19 vaccines.

8. USMLE study aid: An introduction to health systems science

   1. The AMA Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium has collaborated with the “InsideTheBoards” podcast to bring medical students study aid for the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE).
   2. In this episode of the “Making the Rounds” podcast, Maya Hammoud, MD, gave an overview of health systems science and discusses its growing importance due to COVID-19. Dr. Hammoud is senior adviser for medical education innovations at the AMA.

9.  Outside the box: Creative use of big data in medical research

   1. Physician-economist Anupam Jena, MD, PhD, detailed his experience with the creative use of data in medical research in this episode, part of a series of “Making the Rounds” episodes from the AMA Medical Student Section Committee on Health Information Technology. Read more about this podcast series series probing medical students’ questions on health IT.

10. Dr. Wescott shares insight on how to be a better ally

    1. Siobhan Wescott, MD, is the endowed professor and director of American Indian health in the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She talked about facing prejudice and navigating power differentials during medical school and residency.

This year also marked the launch of the AMA STEPS Forward™ podcast. Read more about how this new podcast explores ways to put the joy back in medical practice.

Find out more about the compelling research, discussions and opinions on tap with these original podcasts from the AMA. Listen for the latest in medicine and patient care. Each AMA podcast is available to hear through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Simplecast and many other listening services.