Podcasts are digital audio files which a user can download and listen to. The content can vary from a short (2 minute) summary of the results of one review to longer pieces which cover a particular health topic or discussion on evidence-based decision making. Some audiences find audio content a convenient way to keep up to date.
How to create a podcast
Cochrane regularly produces 5 minute podcasts for selected reviews. Cochrane reviews are usually chosen for podcasts by members of the Editorial and Methods and Knowledge Translation Departments. However, if you would like to suggest your review for a podcast please contact the Editorial and Methods Department at emd@cochrane.org. If your review is selected, you will be invited to script and record your podcast. You will be provided with a draft example of a script and will be asked to provide a script for your review.
Once your script is approved, you will be contacted by the Cochrane web team with advice on how to record and submit your recorded podcast. The Editorial and Methods Department will record an introduction and summary to accompany your podcast.
Non-review based podcasts produced by Cochrane groups
In addition to the Cochrane podcast scheme, some groups have developed their own podcast programmes for different audiences and for different aims.
Cochrane Australia has produced a series of podcasts ‘The Recommended Dose’ in which a journalist interviews leading international researchers, thinkers, writers and health professionals. The series is designed to promote an informed and critical approach to healthcare. It aims to improve the climate for evidence generally and may help to build an interest in and a demand for Cochrane Reviews.
Top tip! Go through the steps of the dissemination checklist to improve the content of your podcast.
Podcasts in different languages
Disseminating Cochrane reviews in the local language is an important part of reaching our global audience. Cochrane podcasts have been recorded in 33 languages, which allows the information to be accessed by non-English speaking users. Often, the podcast scripts that are produced in English need some modifications to make them relevant to different audiences around the world. You can record your podcast in a language other than English if you prefer.
For more information on how to translate podcasts, visit this page or some of the resources below:
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Cochrane Croatia provide their experience of setting up the programme to translate Cochrane podcasts into Croatian in this article.
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A problem that Cochrane Brazil found was that when they translated the English podcast script the podcast was up to 30% longer than in English. They explain how they made adjustments to the English language scripts to make their podcasts more attractive for their audience in this blog.
- Deciding how to use limited resources to translate the most effective dissemination products can be difficult. Cochrane Russia has a ‘podcast club’ which encourages students to translate and record podcasts. They talk about their experiences of this programme in this interview.
Sharing your podcast
A Cochrane podcast will appear on the Cochrane Library, in the ‘related content’ section of the review. It will also appear on the Cochrane website, and be disseminated through various Cochrane communication channels. Here are some additional options to disseminate your podcast:
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Email the link to people that have agreed to receive it. Think of other Cochrane groups or stakeholders who may have an interest in the topic to help disseminate your podcast. We have a webpage on how to write more effective targeted emails.
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Post on social media or through newsletters. For more information on social media platforms and how to use them effectively, visit this page.
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To share your blog using the Cochrane Central social media accounts, including the Comms Network Digest, contact Muriah Umoquit (mumoquit@cochrane.org). This webpage shares more about the Cochrane Central communications channels.
- Track your podcasts. Each year the Impact Factor Report for each review group includes data for podcast downloads.
Examples of podcasts from Cochrane groups
You can view our entire catalogue of hundreds of podcasts on the Cochrane website, or you can subscribe to the podcasts via iTunes.