Australian medical students are provided with huge amounts of information, clinical examinations and investigative techniques, which can be a lot to comprehend. Contextualising and embedding what is learnt during their theory based study into clinical, patient or public health context can help to avoid your view of medicine becoming myopic and disconnected. 

The extra exposure to alternate opinions and experiences within the medical industry can be an invaluable addition to your studies, demonstrating clinical relevance to your study and the communal effects of best medical practice. Podcasts are a great channel to obtain this information, learning via shared experience and consolidation. 

The team at Jon & Jon have put together a list of the top 10 podcasts to assist you in your studies, perfect for those moments when you need to switch up your learning and consolidate what you’ve just read. 

(Average Episode: 30mins – 1 hour / Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast & Humerus Hacks)

Final year medical students turned real life doctors attempt to liven up their studies with mnemonics and banter! Join Australian doctors Karen and Sarah as they discuss diseases and pathologies with light hearted anecdotes and banter, creating an easy listening experience. From Game of Thrones, to demon dogs, the Pen15 club and the Moulin Rouge, nothing is off the cards for these two. 

A great podcast for the theoretical basis of disease, guest registrars on the show provide additional valuable insights into clinical management of disease and their own clinical experiences. This podcast is a great resource for both senior and junior medical students alike. 

(Average Episode: 10mins – 45mins / Available on MedConversations, Apple Podcast & Radio Australia)

Australian cult-favourite, MedConversations is renowned for creating ‘aha’ moments with their case-based discussion. This podcast is hosted by advance trainees and registrars providing the structure of clinical reasoning for a range of different medical conditions alongside some recent evidence-based research and specifics. Suitable for both senior and junior medical doctors, these creators also produce Quizlet Flashcards with every podcast so you can test your own knowledge, create custom online exams and even access the Quizlet App on your phone.

(Average Episode: 30mins – 1 hour / Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts & The Clinical Problem-Solvers)

The Clinical Problem Solvers is a team of doctors and trainees who have compiled a collection of resources and case-based learning tools geared towards developing a thorough student-level conception of diseases, and the development of a reliable framework around clinical reasoning. This podcast presents largely as a series of unknown diagnoses that require some thought, further investigation and clinical reasoning. They also have a great website full of helpful resources that are great for students to further develop their clinical reasoning including hospital-style virtual morning reports, practice cases, illness scripts and diagnostic schema.  

(Average Episode: 35mins – 1 hour / Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast & IMreasoning)

Follow Dr Art Nahill and Dr Nic Szecket, two general internists, as they take a deep dive into the clinical reasoning process, diagnosis and diagnostic error. Their transparent honesty provides hugely valuable insight for students into the drivers that lead to diagnostic errors, diagnosis via creative thinking, cognitive bias and embracing the uncertainty in medicine. IMreasoning strips back the abilities of master clinicians for medical students to gain insight into the wisdom and mystery of these skills, perfectly illustrating that there is more to it than just regurgitating knowledge.

(Average Episode: 30mins – 50mins / Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts and Podbean)

Sharp Scratch is the British Medical Journal’s response to navigating and discussing the professionalism required and expected of doctors. In a changing, modern healthcare landscape, Sharp Scratch answers those questions that are seldom addressed in medical school such as; Should doctors have tattoos? What is it like having to give up Christmas with your family to work? How should doctors act on social media? How have medical expectations of professionals changed in recent times? For students feeling the daunting expectations of becoming a doctor and navigating what is expected of you, this podcast is a great resource.

(Average Episode: 30mins – 1 hour / Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, The GP Show & Podbean)

Hosted by Dr Sam Manger, this uniquely Australian podcast highlights the issues faced by GPs and health professionals across Australia. Dr Sam shares in-depth conversations with clinicians, experts and advocates from all over Australia in order to share insights on a variety of health topics such as rural practice, insights to improve culturally-safe care to the First Nations People of Australia and whether a health reform is needed in Australia.

(Average Episode: 10mins – 30mins / Available on Spotify, On The Wards, Podbean & Listen Notes)

On the wards has everything you need, from case-based discussion to clinical management of disease, Australian health policies and navigating the professional world as a doctor. These fast-paced tales of junior doctors on the hospital wards at the Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney are great for upcoming juniors to relate to, seeking support and encouragement as they develop the critical thinking skills of the next generation of doctors. 

(Average Episode: 30mins / Available on Apple Podcast ABC Radio National and Google Podcast)

Great for those who prefer the shorter podcasts, the Health Report with Dr Norman Swan is a short and sharp way to stay on top of both the current domestic and international health issues. Generally this podcast discusses 3-4 topics within the 30 min program, updating you on all the latest medical developments, clinical trials and medical affairs. 

(Average Episode: 20mins – 40mins / Available on Spotify & The Lancet)

One of the most impactful and well recognised peer review medical journals in the world, The Lancet is a fortnightly podcast that discusses the most important developments in global health, policy-making and clinical research, and how this translates socially into meaningful change in the lives of those the whole world over. While most of us can only aspire to be published in The Lancet for the time being, we can still benefit from the acumen of its editors and contributors.

(Average Episode: 35mins – 1hour / Available on Apple Podcast, Spotify & Maximum Fun)

The perfect lighthearted, wacky and bizarre podcast is Sawbones. Follow this husband and wife doctor duo as they explore the history of how doctors used to fix people in the most revolutionary, gory, horrific and (with the benefit of hindsight) absolutely unreal ways. A great way to look at the modern era of medicine with treatments, procedures and medicines so tightly regulated, this podcast will at least enlighten you to how far medical treatment has come.