The use of the podcast ‘Saúde nos Eixos’ as a health education strategy

an experience report

Abstract

The use of digital media in the dissemination of health knowledge is essential in contemporary times, as it promotes the democratization of this knowledge and establishes a more horizontal relationship between the public university and the surrounding community. Furthermore, the Integrator Axis subject in the Medicine Course at Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) offers a valuable opportunity for educational interventions through digital technologies. This study aims to report on the experiences of UFMA students in the ‘Saúde nos Eixos’ extension project. Its purpose was to develop a podcast dedicated to health education. It is a descriptive experience report with a qualitative approach. The podcast, anchored on the Spotify streaming platform, discussed relevant health issues, combining technical rigor and accessible language. Two episodes were produced in the form of an interview and an informative dialogue, focusing on the evolution of the doctor-patient relationship in the digital age and on sporotrichosis, respectively. The experience of the ‘Saúde nos Eixos’ project demonstrates the potential of podcasts to democratize health knowledge and connect the university with the community. It also highlights the importance of more in-depth studies to evaluate the educational impact of projects like this.