Podcasts in Hematology/Oncology Fellowship: Evidence-Based Learning on the Go

As a hematology/oncology fellow, your schedule is demanding. Between clinic, rounds, conferences, and research, finding dedicated study time can feel impossible—which is why burnout prevention is so important. But what if you could turn your commute, your workout, or your walk between the hospital and home into high-yield learning opportunities?

There is a clinical trial that evaluated the effect of podcasts on learning in oncology, and you can look it up here. The PODCAST-HOF Trial, published in JCO Oncology Practice in 2025, provides rigorous evidence that podcasts are a very valuable way of learning.

What the Research Shows

The PODCAST-HOF Trial was a multicenter cluster randomized trial involving 27 US fellowship programs and over 400 hematology/oncology fellows. Programs were randomized to receive either a curated podcast curriculum alongside standard didactics, or standard didactics alone.

The results were striking:

Knowledge improvement: Fellows in the podcast arm improved their knowledge scores from 39.7% to 62.0%, compared with only 43.5% to 50.3% in the control arm—an adjusted mean difference of 15.5% (P < .01).

Comfort across topics: The podcast curriculum significantly improved fellow comfort across all studied topics, including:

• Breast cancer (0.48-point improvement, P < .01)

• Multiple myeloma (0.65-point improvement, P < .01)

• Bleeding disorders (0.70-point improvement, P < .01)

• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (0.40-point improvement, P < .01)[1]

High satisfaction: Among fellows who used the podcast curriculum, 83% rated the show notes as highly useful, and an impressive 89% planned to continue using podcasts in their learning.

The study authors concluded: "These findings support incorporating The Fellow on Call and Two Onc Docs as a recommended supplement to traditional fellowship didactics."

Why Podcasts Work for Fellows

Podcasts offer unique advantages that complement traditional learning methods:

Flexibility: Learn during activities that don't require your visual attention—commuting, exercising, doing chores, or walking between clinical sites.

Repetition: Unlike a one-time lecture, you can re-listen to complex topics until the concepts solidify. This spaced repetition is proven to enhance long-term retention.

Accessibility: No need to carry heavy textbooks or find a quiet study space. Your phone becomes your portable learning library.

Expert curation: High-quality oncology podcasts distill complex topics into digestible, clinically relevant discussions led by experienced educators.

Active learning: Many podcasts use case-based discussions that engage your clinical reasoning skills, similar to how you think through real patient scenarios.

Evidence-Based Podcasts for Hematology/Oncology Fellows

Based on the PODCAST-HOF Trial and expert recommendations, here are the top podcasts to integrate into your learning:

Podcasts Validated by Research

The Fellow on Call: The Heme/Onc Podcast

Designed specifically for heme/onc trainees, this podcast offers bite-sized episodes covering fundamentals, management frameworks, and exam-relevant topics. It was one of the two podcasts used in the PODCAST-HOF Trial that demonstrated significant improvements in fellow knowledge and comfort.

Website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/

Two Onc Docs

Featuring board-style case discussions and disease overviews aimed at residents and fellows, this podcast was the second cornerstone of the PODCAST-HOF Trial curriculum. The structured approach to clinical scenarios mirrors the format you'll encounter on board examinations

Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-onc-docs/id1616541733

Additional High-Yield Podcasts

ASCO Education Podcast

An education-focused series from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, featuring episodes on oncology training, career development, and clinical topics directly relevant to fellows and early-career oncologists.

Website: https://education.asco.org/catalog/Podcast

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

A trial- and practice-update-oriented show targeting trainees and early-career oncologists. This podcast excels at discussing recent oncology research and helping you stay current with evolving practice patterns.

Website: https://www.inquisitiveonc.com/

How to Integrate Hematology-Oncology Podcasts into Your Learning Strategy

To maximize the benefit of podcasts, consider this strategic approach:

Pair podcasts with question practice: After completing MeDucation questions on a specific topic, listen to a podcast episode covering that same content. This reinforces concepts through a different modality.

Use show notes strategically: Many podcasts provide detailed show notes with key references, guidelines, and summary points. The PODCAST-HOF Trial found that 83% of fellows rated show notes as highly useful—treat them as study guides, not afterthoughts.

Create a structured listening schedule: Rather than random podcast consumption, align episodes with your fellowship didactic schedule or board preparation timeline.

Listen actively: When possible, take brief notes on your phone or pause to look up guidelines mentioned in the episode. Active engagement enhances retention.

Repeat high-yield episodes: Don't hesitate to re-listen to episodes covering your weak areas or high-yield board topics like lymphoma staging, myeloma treatment algorithms, or coagulation disorders.

Complementing Podcasts with Other Resources

While the PODCAST-HOF Trial clearly demonstrates the value of podcasts, they work best as part of a comprehensive learning strategy:

• Question banks like MeDucation provide active recall practice and help identify knowledge gaps—see our complete oncology board review strategy

• NCCN and ASCO Guidelines remain your authoritative references for algorithmic decision-making

• Podcasts reinforce concepts, provide expert perspective, and offer portable learning opportunities

Think of podcasts as the connective tissue that links your formal study sessions—they keep your learning continuous, even during the busiest clinical weeks.

The Bottom Line

The evidence is clear: integrating high-quality podcasts into your fellowship learning significantly improves both knowledge and clinical comfort. The PODCAST-HOF Trial demonstrated what many fellows have intuitively known—learning doesn't have to stop when you leave the conference room or close your laptop.

With evidence-based podcasts like The Fellow on Call and Two Onc Docs, supplemented by resources from ASCO and other expert educators, you can transform otherwise unproductive time into high-yield learning opportunities. Whether you're driving to the hospital, walking between clinics, or fitting in a workout, you're building the knowledge foundation that will serve your patients throughout your career.

Your fellowship is demanding, but your learning can be flexible. Start exploring these podcasts today—your board scores and your patients will both benefit.

Ready to enhance your board preparation with evidence-based learning? Explore the MeDucation Medical Oncology and Hematology Question Bank to complement your podcast learning with targeted question practice and up-to-date handouts designed specifically for fellows.