A University of Alberta initiative that went viral within its first year is now taking the next step: from podcast to app for tablets or smart phones.
The Surgery 101 podcasts burst on to the scene last year, racking up more than 100,000 downloads within its first year of operation. The podcasts were meant as learning tools for University of Alberta medical students, giving them the need-to-know basics of specific surgeries, but were soon downloaded by curious listeners from 100 countries worldwide. The initiative, started by Jonathan White in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, now receives, on average, between 1,000 and 2,000 downloads a day and the creators are approaching 500,000 downloads total.
"It's popular because it's made by real surgeons who know what medical students need," said White. "We also keep it really tight. We don't let someone ramble on for 45 minutes and if they do we're going to edit it down"
Recent podcasts, which average about 20 minutes in length, included a series all about cancer surgery, featuring two episodes in which real patients talk about their experiences.
Many students find it a handy study tool, such as fourth-year student Alyzee Sibtain. She first listened to a podcast when she started her general surgery rotation in third year, and most recently used one to help with her sub-specialty surgical rotation.
"I thought it was clear and concise and really told you what you needed to know," said Sibtain. "I also really liked that there are surgical podcasts but there are also other things like 'breaking bad news' and 'dealing with difficult patients.'"
Sibtain is doing her residency in radiology but thinks this will be a helpful tool throughout her career to help her understand what surgeons and patients will need from her.
And now, with an app, students like Sibtain, physicians, patients and anyone interested, won't have to download the newest podcast, which is posted every Friday. It will just be right there on their tablet or smart phone.
"Currently what we're doing is a bit clunky," said White. "Go to iTunes, subscribe, then update your phone then move the podcast from your iTunes to your phone. You've got to remember to keep it updated and if you miss a couple of weeks iTunes will automatically stop downloading new episodes.
"[This app] sits on your phone like any other application. Episodes are sitting there waiting for you inside the app so you don't have to download or search them."
The Surgery 101 app launched Tuesday. It will cost $.99 for the latest 10 episodes; $4.99 gets buyers a year subscription, plus the app provides all the notes from the podcast which will make it easier for students.. All proceeds from the sale of the app, which is the first developed in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, goes to the Tom Williams Endowed Chair in Surgical Education.
"That's part of the reason I'm hoping people will pay the $.99 or $4.99 because they actually want to support this and keep it moving," said White. "You want it in your phone; you've got it right there. We're also releasing it to all markets worldwide."