Needs Assessment of Podcast Use for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning in CRNAs

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving world of medical education and content, professional development is not just a choice, it is an obligation. Despite the rising popularity of podcast use over the last 10 years, there is still little-known if they effectively meet the needs of professional development and lifelong learning for anesthesia experts, specifically CRNAs. A needs assessment was performed to determine if anesthesia-focused podcasts are a valuable component to professional development and lifelong learning. The needs assessment survey encompassed 14 questions that looked at participant demographics, overall outlooks and preferences on current anesthesia-focused podcasts, desired modes of professional development, and if they considered podcasts to be a valuable component of professional development and lifelong learning in nurse anesthesia. After data analysis was completed, results from the survey responses indicated that anesthesia-focused podcasts are perceived as a valuable component to professional development and lifelong learning. In-person lectures/professional meetings were the most preferred mode of professional development (75% of responses). Podcasts were the 2nd most preferred mode of professional development (52.27% of responses). Relevant (92.86%), Credible (71.43%), Quality-focused (50%), and accessible (50%) were found to be the most valuable principles of professional development and lifelong learning. Although there is no research on podcast-use as an alternative method to achieving professional development and lifelong learning, this project demonstrates how anesthesia-focused podcasts have the potential to become a valuable component to the future of the nurse anesthesia profession