Evaluating the Dear MD to Be Podcast as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resource: a cross-sectional survey analysis

Evaluating the Dear MD to Be Podcast as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resource: a cross-sectional survey analysis

Blog Article

Background: Equity-deserving groups are communities marginalized from institutional power by oppressive forces (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism).

Dear MD to Be is a medical-student-led podcast created to Shampoo interview physicians of intersectional backgrounds about their institutional experience.This study aims to evaluate the podcast as a tool for knowledge, mentorship, and psychological safety for equity-deserving listeners.Methods: Between February and March 2022, we recruited medical students across all levels of training from English-speaking Canadian medical schools using email listservs and social media.

We disseminated a cross-sectional questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge gained from podcast engagement, attitudes towards podcasts as a tool for mentorship, and psychological/emotional gains from the podcast content.We conducted descriptive and frequency analyses of quantitative data and applied thematic analysis to qualitative data.Results: Thirty-eight individuals completed the entire survey from all levels of training, with 97% self-identifying with at least one equity-deserving group.

100% agreed that the Dear MD to Be podcast was an accessible form of mentorship; participants appreciated self-pacing mentorship and interacting with many narratives.Listeners gleaned lessons about wellness, advocacy work, allyship, NIACIN NO-FLUSH cultural imposter syndrome, and navigating discrimination.Furthermore, most listeners felt represented, empowered, and legitimized by podcast content.

Conclusions: Podcasts can serve as a medium for accessible equity-centred mentorship.By disseminating multiple underrepresented narratives in medicine, the Dear MD to Be podcast serves as a source of EDI knowledge while contributing to learner safety.