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Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age
So Burns is developing audio podcasts to help physicians more efficiently keep in touch with recognized international experts and the latest peer-reviewed information in neurology. “I was looking for an opportunity to facilitate lifelong learning after being faced with the question of how to help residents after they complete their training,” Burns says. “We have more than 100 neurology-related journals, and there is just no way anyone can read them all to see what is current.” Two years ago, Burns began working with the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) to produce bimonthly neuromuscular podcasts on some of the latest research and how it impacts physicians. Instead of a review of articles, the podcast features interviews with the article authors. He expanded his efforts by joining forces with the journal Neurology just more than a year ago. Already, the enterprise has been a success, with the AANEM podcasts averaging 600 downloads per show and the weekly Neurology podcasts averaging 1,200 downloads per show. “Ted Burns has truly been on the forefront of a revolution in medical education for physicians, residents and fellows,” says Karen Johnston, M.D., MSc., Chair of UVA’s Department of Neurology. “While we all recognize the need to keep current on our reading as physicians, the reality of today’s patient care load, coupled with teaching, research and personal time, make sorting through more than 100 journals a daunting task at best. By providing physicians with the latest peer-reviewed information and discussions with internationally recognized experts in their areas, Dr. Burns is creating a model we can all build upon as this delivery method of medical information grows exponentially in the coming years.” Burns says there can be a fine line for podcasts between being informative and being abused to market a product. That is why there is a need for controls and disclosures of all sponsorships and conflicts of interest among podcast participants, just as there is for authors who write journal articles. Podcasts will never replace written journals as the place for scientists and researchers to publish details of their work, Burns believes. However, he thinks they are the perfect place for discussion and keeping clinicians current with the latest treatment recommendations and observations. “I’ll rarely ever give a talk in front of 1,200 physicians, but if 1,200 physicians listen to the podcast, then the impact may be even greater as they can refer back to the podcast again and again and easily share it with their colleagues,” Burns says.
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The proliferation of medical journals makes it hard for physicians like University of Virginia neurologist Ted Burns, M.D., to keep up with the latest research and clinical findings. Burns thought that his morning run or 25-minute drive to work would be ideal for catching up on his reading, but he lacked a portable information source.