Everyone learns in different ways, and clinicians are no different. So, when thinking about how to engage effectively with healthcare professionals, it’s crucial to provide resources in a variety of formats, enabling learners to access information in a way which resonates best with them. 

That was the idea behind our podcast series, Biomarker Banter: HR+/HER2 – mBC Insights, which was Highly Commended in the Excellence in Engaging and Educating Healthcare Professionals category at the Pharmaceutical Market Excellence Awards. 

Created in conjunction with Partners for Advancing Clinical Education (PACE) and supported by a grant from Lilly, the podcast was designed to bring expert discussion into clinicians’ busy lives, helping them connect specialist understanding with everyday care at a time and place which suited them. 

Making room 

Healthcare professionals need opportunities to continue learning in order to ensure capability and up-to-date skill levels. Yet, their time is often stretched. Professional development must therefore be easy to integrate into existing routines, as well as being relevant to the real-world decisions clinicians face consistently. 

Biomarker Banter addresses that problem with five concise, on-demand podcast episodes that explore biomarker testing and interpretation within the context of metastatic breast cancer. 

By sharing up to date findings, techniques and technologies in this convenient format, the podcast bolsters confidence and capacity for oncologists, pathologists and nurse practitioners, with specialist discussions and examination of real-world case studies to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. 

The results speak for themselves 

The PMEA judges praised the programme’s clear objectives, research-informed strategy and straightforward execution, which supported an average 41% increase in knowledge, measured through assessments. 

Of the thousands of healthcare professionals who have listened to the podcast to date, 97% reported improved competence and 92% intended to change their practice – evidence of the wider impact that well thought out educational initiatives can have, including potentially significant improvements in outcomes for patients.   

While participation rates can be useful in showing whether the format is accessible and appealing, it’s the evidence around how patient care could change as a result which determines genuine educational value. 

The real ‘win’ is clinical improvement 

The real success for us is seeing so many learners plan to carry learning through into their work. In fact, we design and develop all of our educational programmes with this aim in mind, regardless of format.  

Understanding the challenges that clinicians face helps us ensure learning focuses on genuine needs and concerns, using follow-ups and subsequent evaluation to inform further improvements. This keeps progress moving and allows us to ensure we’re truly supporting the practical application of medical knowledge across the healthcare sector.  

Find out more about the podcast here. Or to find out how we can support your medical education goals, do get in touch by emailing info@nexushe.com.