Background Podcasting has become a popular medium for medical education content. Educators and trainees of all levels are turning to podcasts for high-quality, asynchronous content. Although numerous medical education podcasts have emerged in recent years, few student-run podcasts exist. Student-run podcasts are a novel approach to supporting medical students. Near-peer mentoring has been shown to promote medical students’ personal and professional identity formation. Student-run podcasts offer a new medium for delivering near-peer advice to medical students in an enduring and accessible manner. Objective This paper describes the creation of the UnsCripted Medicine Podcast—a student-run medical education podcast produced at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Methods The planning and preparatory phases spanned 6 months. Defining a target audience and establishing a podcast mission were key first steps. Efforts were directed toward securing funding; obtaining necessary equipment; and navigating the technical considerations of recording, editing, and publishing a podcast. In order to ensure that high professionalism standards were met, key partnerships were created with faculty from the College of Medicine. Results The UnsCripted Medicine Podcast published 53 episodes in its first 2 years. The number of episodes released per month ranges from 0 to 5, with a mean of 2.0 episodes. The podcast has a Twitter account with 217 followers. The number of listeners who subscribed to the podcast via Apple Podcasts grew to 86 in the first year and then to 218 in the second year. The show has an average rating of 4.8 (out of 5) on Apple Podcasts, which is based on 24 ratings. The podcast has hosted 70 unique guests, including medical students, resident physicians, attending physicians, nurses, physicians’ family members, graduate medical education leadership, and educators. Conclusions Medical student–run podcasts are a novel approach to supporting medical students and fostering professional identity formation. Podcasts are widely available and convenient for listeners. Additionally, podcast creators can publish content with lower barriers of entry compared to those of other forms of published content. Medical schools should consider supporting student podcast initiatives to allow for near-peer mentoring, augment the community, facilitate professional identity formation, and prepare the rising physician workforce for the technological frontier of medical education and practice.

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Objective: Men comprise only 9% of the U.S. nursing workforce and 15% of baccalaureate nursing students. The odds of male nursing students completing nursing school are significantly lower than that of female nursing students. Mentoring programs designed to improve male nursing student retention are needed. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a novel "MENtorship" Program for men in nursing school. Methods: This study used a sequential QUAN-qual explanatory mixed methods design in two phases: (1) quantitative web-based surveys were sent to all participants (n = 19) to assess mentor/mentee relationships; and, (2) qualitative interviews were conducted to explain the survey results. Data were analyzed thematically, and data source triangulation was done by comparing the qualitative findings to the quantitative findings. Results: Findings included high perceived commitment from mentors and mentees. Participants described multiple program benefits and recommended program improvements. One key recommendation is to provide a thematic focus to each mentor/mentee meeting (i.e. professionalism, ethics, nursing specialties). Conclusions: The MENtorship Program pilot was deemed feasible for future implementation.

Introduction In the past decade, podcasting has become an increasingly utilized form of asynchronous education amongst medical trainees. Medical education podcasts increase accessibility of novel literature, provide entertainment and promote community. Data on the impact of medical student-run podcasts is limited. The UnsCripted Medicine Podcast (UMP) is a medical student-run podcast created to provide near-peer support, promote academic success, and strengthen sense of belongingness. This study examined UMP listener self-reported behaviors, enjoyability, and podcast efficacy as a comradery-building tool. Methods A voluntary, seventeen-question survey was disseminated to all medical students at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The survey utilized Likert scale items, multiple choice, multiple answer and open-ended formats. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results 143 (n = 19.5%) responses were received. Most respondents had listened to either 3–5 or 5–10 episodes (n = 51 or 41.8% and n = 36 or 29.5%, respectively). Most listeners consumed curriculum-related episodes (n = 109, 89.3%). 96% (n = 96 of 100) of listeners reported an increased sense of preparedness for courses, and 76.8% (n = 76 of 99) of listeners reported reduced stress. The UMP was considered enjoyable (n = 112 of 116, 96.5%) and was associated with an increased sense of belonging within the medical school community (n = 68 of 116, 58.6%). Discussion Medical student-run podcasts provide novel opportunities to increase near-peer mentorship within undergraduate medical education. They show promise in decreasing stress, increasing preparedness and increasing sense of belonging. Given the increasing popularity of podcasting in medical education, student podcast initiatives should be supported by medical schools.

Introduction-Residential and wilderness excursion summer camps are safe, but outdoor activities can lead to injuries. The frequency of various illnesses and injuries at summer camps has been incompletely described. The treatments provided and the need for escalation to higher levels of care are variable.Methods-A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted for all visits to a camp infirmary over 3 seasons at a residential summer camp in Minnesota. Seventeen descriptive categories of chief complaints and 13 categories of treatment disposition were created for all 695 eligible infirmary visits. The frequency and illness type for which escalation to a higher level of care beyond the camp infirmary was needed were reviewed.Results-Four hundred one campers sought medical care 695 times over 3 seasons. The most common chief complaints were related to skin (35%), musculoskeletal injury (17%), and upper-respiratory symptoms (15%). The most common treatment and dispositions were over-the-counter medications (43%) and simple bandage or dressing (19%). Escalation of care to a clinic or emergency room was uncommon, with 35 (5%) infirmary visits requiring escalation. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for escalations of care. While overall less common than musculoskeletal injury, dental injury almost always resulted in escalation of care.Conclusions-An analysis of 3 y of visits to a summer camp infirmary was used by camp medical staff to update protocols and obtain new supplies for diagnosis and treatments. A more complete understanding of the prevalence of injuries and illnesses has the potential to allow better preparation for camp medical staff.