Abstract: SA-PO0978
Who's Listening? Reach and Engagement Patterns of Core IM Nephrology Podcast Episodes
Session Information
- Educational Research
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 1000 Educational Research
Authors
- Kudlapur, Nathan, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- William, Jeffrey H., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Trivedi, Shreya, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Background
Podcasts have become a mainstream modality for medical education, yet data on which nephrology topics drive engagement, how engagement differs from reach, and whether preferences vary across demographics and geography remain limited. Core IM is a widely distributed internal medicine podcast with 18 dedicated nephrology episodes. This study examined patterns of reach, engagement, and audience characteristics.
Methods
Episode metrics were extracted from RedCircle, the platform host for the RSS feed, for all 18 nephrology episodes. Total downloads and completion percentage were analyzed as independent measures of reach and engagement, respectively. Analyses also accounted for episode age using time-normalized metrics. Listener demographics and geographic distribution were obtained separately from Spotify.
Results
Eighteen episodes (cumulative downloads: 772,730) were published from 2018 to 2026. By total downloads, Hyponatremia Diagnostics (102,412), Hyponatremia Management (98,703), Fluids (87,577), and Nephrotic Syndrome (80,378) had the highest reach. Average completion was 72.8% (range 51–87%); Albuminuria (87%), Cardiorenal Considerations (84%), and CKD Staging (83%) were listened to most completely. Reach and completion percentage were not correlated: episodes widely downloaded were not necessarily finished, and vice versa. Three episodes ranked highly in both: Cardiorenal Considerations (53k; 84%), Hypokalemia (58k; 79%), and Hypomagnesemia/Hypophosphatemia (56k; 78%). The typical listener was male (54%) and aged 28–34 (50%). Topics common to trainee clinical encounters, such as hypokalemia, fluids, and POCUS for AKI, attracted a disproportionately younger audience. The US accounted for 66% of downloads, followed by Canada (7%), Australia (4%), and the UK (2%). Geography varied by topic; Japan and Mexico had a striking preference for the Albuminuria episode. Domestically, California, New York, and Ohio led listenership.
Conclusion
Nephrology podcast engagement varied substantially by topic. Reach did not predict completion percentage, suggesting these metrics capture distinct dimensions of listener behavior. Topics aligned with high-frequency clinical decision-making preferentially engaged younger listeners, potentially reflecting trainee learning needs. Podcast analytics may help educators identify high-yield topics and tailor curricula; further studies are needed to assess educational impact.