Australians are embracing podcasts at record levels, with weekly listening rates now surpassing those in the US, according to The Infinite Dial 2024 Australia report.
According to the report, nearly half of Australians (48%) listened to a podcast in the past month, with figures rising to 65% among 18-39-year-olds.
Among the 3 million-plus podcasts available worldwide, health and wellbeing shoes, such as ABC Listen’s What’s That Rash? and The Health Report, are among Australia’s top 200.
Melbourne-based GP and author, Dr Preeya Alexander, who co-hosts The Health Report with Dr Norman Swan, and hosts Happy to Health, says the platform’s reach is profound.
“I’ve had people reach out and share they booked an appointment with their GP, off the back of an episode I did with medical oncologist, Dr Kortnye Smith, on cancer screening,'” she says.
“I’ve had people share that they’ve changed their skincare routine entirely, presented to their GP about rectal bleeding they had previously dismissed or taken their child to a dietitian for fussy eating assistance after listening to a particular podcast episode.
“It’s amazing to think that people trust you enough to have the intimate experience of putting you in their ears and listening to what you have to say.”
‘Consuming complex health topics on the go’
Queensland accounts for 20% of Australia’s total podcast listenership, with 29.5% of parents with children under 5 engaging with podcasts in the last 4 weeks.
Given the popularity of podcasts and to support healthcare professionals and the public, Health and Wellbeing Queensland has launched its second podcast series, Clinician’s Guide to the First 2000 Days.
This comes following the success of its first podcast series in 2023, Clinician’s Guide to Healthy Kids.
Dr Terri-Lynne South, a dual-qualified dietitian and medical practitioner with more than 25 years’ experience, features in Episode One of the new podcast’s nine-episode series.
“Accessible and evidence-based clinical information plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” says Dr South.
“Media and digital platforms can bridge gaps in knowledge, dispel myths, and normalise conversations around fertility, pregnancy planning, and early intervention.”
Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) Dr Shelley Wilkinson, who joins Dr South in Episode One agrees.
“Podcasts like Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s First 2000 Days make evidence-based maternal health information accessible,” she says.
“This format overcomes the usual barriers to education, cost, access, and time. The conversational nature with topic area experts also helps to break down complex topics for better understanding.”
Queensland Department of Health embracing the podcast format
Queensland’s Department of Health has also embraced the format, producing 3 series:
- It Can’t Hurt to Ask – focused on menopause.
- Mind/Land – exploring the connection between mind and nature.
- My Amazing Body – investigating the human body.
“Because podcasts offer on-demand listening, they allow Queenslanders to consume information about complex health topics on the go, and at their own pace, to fit in with their busy lives,’ says Caitlin Cash, Manager Social and Digital Media, Queensland Department of Health.
“For us, podcasts are unique in that they are long form, allowing our expert clinicians to not only share health information in detail, but break down big topics into bite-sized pieces that are easier to consume.”
Knowing who to trust in the land of health podcasts
Despite the rise in evidenced-based podcasts, unqualified individuals also share health content, making it difficult for listeners to discern reliable information.
“There are a lot of unqualified people sharing health-related content and it can make it harder for people to know who to trust,” says Dr Alexander.
“Social media and podcasts have changed the game in both positive and negative ways.
“The challenge is making sure people are accessing reliable, evidenced-based advice.”
Dr South agrees.
“It’s essential that healthcare professionals actively contribute to credible sources and guide patients toward trusted sources,” she says.
How does this relate to PAs?
Pharmacy assistants play a key role in guiding customers towards credible health information.
As more Australians turn to podcasts for health advice, pharmacy assistants can help identify evidence-based sources, address misinformation, and encourage customers to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Listen to Clinician’s Guide to the First 2000 Days on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Pandora.
For more information, visit hw.qld.gov.au.
