Abstract: FR-PO022
Developing a Participant-Focused Educational Podcast to Enhance Engagement in the Cure Glomerulopathy (CureGN) Study Cohort
Session Information
- Classroom to Bedside: Transforming Medical Education
October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 1000 Educational Research
Authors
- Khalid, Myda, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Creguer, Tina, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Mariani, Laura H., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Mulroy, Shannon, Kidney Solutions, Kerrville, Texas, United States
- Gibson, Keisha L., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Wilson, Sherry Louise, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Modi, Zubin J., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Poulton, Caroline J., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Background
CureGN is an NIH-funded longitudinal cohort study that has enrolled over 2,000 research participants. Engagement is fundamental to encourage retention and to provide value and education to participants. Previous initiatives including newsletters and online “fireside chats” had low participation rates.
Methods
An audio podcast was trialed and evaluated to enhance participant education and engagement. Kidney Chats by CureGN, developed by CureGN’s Recruitment and Retention workgroup, launched October 2023. The educational series on glomerular disease topics is accessed on multiple platforms (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, web search); themed episodes are clearly titled by topic. A study participant interviews an expert on a topic suggested by participants. Initial topics included nutrition and prednisone. Newsletters introduce a topic and point readers to the podcast for more in-depth information via a QR code. Social media promotes the podcast.
Results
Three episodes have launched ranging from 16 to 31 minutes long, with new episodes planned at a two-to-three-month cadence. 86 downloads/listens have been logged, surpassing performance of fireside chats in a much shorter amount of time. The podcast reaches participants across all age ranges, with particular strength in ages 28 to 34 and over 60. Listenership by gender is 52% female, 41% male, and the remaining non-binary or not specified. Listeners hail largely from the US, with 77% located in the US. Another 12% tuned in from Germany, 7% from Canada, and 4% from other locations.
Conclusion
For CureGN, an integrated communications strategy that incorporates a highly accessible medium as its centerpiece effectively disseminates relevant research to participants, as well as topics addressing lifestyle topics and helping participants find community by hearing others’ lived experiences with kidney disease.
Fireside chat attendance vs podcast listenership
| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | Total to date | |
| Fireside chat attendance* | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 36 |
| Podcast downloads/listens** | 47 | 28 | 11 | (to come) | 86 |
*estimated **continues to grow weekly
Funding
- NIDDK Support