Medical publications and podcasts physicians should explore

It seems as though every passing week brings new discoveries and advances to the healthcare industry; from novel treatments to innovative technologies, the sector is continually evolving. As this pace of change quickens, however, healthcare professionals have to work harder to stay up to date.

This isn’t always easy to do, considering that your days are already filled with patient visits and administrative tasks. Fortunately, there are plenty of quick, easy, and engaging ways to digest healthcare news and studies — not to mention gain knowledge that can help inform you.  

To help you sort through them, we’ve rounded up eight of our favourite blogs, podcasts, and medical resources for staying abreast of the latest industry news. 

For those who want to discover data on Canada’s health systems and the health of Canadians, the CIHI website is the place to go. This independent, not-for-profit organization provides comparable and actionable data on topics like spending, access and wait times, patient experience, health workforces, and more.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal’s (CMAJ) podcast is an excellent resource for doctors and researchers looking to advance their knowledge. Episodes include day-in-the-life stories by physicians, interviews with industry experts, as well as discussions about the history of medicine and other trending topics. Some of their most recent (and most popular) episodes have explored COVID-19 treatments and the surgery crisis caused by the pandemic.

Canada Health Infoway’s monthly podcast brings together digital health leaders and innovators to explore a wide range of topics and trends. Episodes cover themes like innovating in a time of crisis, empowering patients through digital health, and building environmentally sustainable health systems. Physicians can also discover the latest developments in digital health, new research findings, and more at the Infoway Connects blog.

KeyLIME is a great choice for those who want a quick snapshot of the latest medical literature. Produced by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, this weekly podcast summarizes the main points and key takeaways of educational medical articles in under half an hour — with a focus on articles that are important, innovative, or that will impact educational practices. 

TELUS Health’s Physician Pulse is where healthcare providers go to learn about the latest digital trends, read thought-provoking perspectives, and discover real-life stories about Canadian physicians who are advancing care through technology. The blog covers everything from virtual care and EMR optimization tips to in-depth articles about how the delivery of healthcare is evolving in Canada.

Physician Wellness Hub is a useful resource from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) that promotes health and wellness amongst those in the medical profession. The hub includes original CMA content and hundreds of curated wellness resources for physicians, residents, and medical students.

Solving Healthcare is a podcast series by the Resource Optimization Network. Led by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, an Ottawa-based palliative care and intensive care doctor, the podcast features insightful discussions about improving healthcare delivery in Canada. It also communicates the latest COVID-19 news.

Airing weekly, this informative podcast  — hosted by veteran broadcaster Tamara Taggart — shares stories, busts myths, and delivers practical tips to Canadians when they need it most. Episodes feature exclusive interviews with respected thought leaders on topics that range from health and wellness to community and social responsibility. Past guests include British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Dragons’ Den star Arlene Dickinson, and registered dietitian and author Desiree Nielsen.

Keeping up to date.

Now more than ever, it’s important for you to keep up with the latest medical trends, technologies, and research. Whether listening to podcasts or reading medical blogs, there are a variety of options for physicians to choose from — and these informative resources can play an important role in helping healthcare professionals discover industry news, as well as gain insight and new perspectives into how to best run your practice.