Plugged In: How Dermatology Podcasts Are Reshaping Patient Education and Physician Connectivity

As medicine continues to evolve, podcasts have become a popular and effective medium for delivering medical education and patient-facing information. Their on-demand, accessible format allows learners at all levels, including health care providers and the general public, to engage with expert insights at their convenience. Medical podcasts now span nearly every specialty, with one of the pioneers being the internal medicine–focused show, The Curbsiders.¹

This commentary highlights the current dermatology podcast landscape and examines how these platforms are advancing patient education, fostering physician connectivity, and promoting interdisciplinary learning. Notably, podcast engagement continues to grow, with just over half of US adults (54%) reporting that they have listened to a podcast in the past 12 months, up from 49% in 2022.² With more than 60% of the podcasts reviewed launching their first episode within the past 5 years, this represents a timely topic.

An informal review of 28 dermatology-focused podcasts reveals a dynamic range of hosts, target audiences, and content styles. Most hosts are board-certified dermatologists, though several feature residents, certified physician assistants, or even patients to offer broader perspectives. In our review, we found that 7% of podcasts featured a mix of advanced practice providers and physicians. Common topics include skin conditions such as acne and eczema, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer education, and clinical and research updates on emerging treatments. There are also quite a few skin-focused podcasts led by aestheticians that cover many of the same topics, including skin care advice and product/procedure reviews.

Several podcasts, such as Learn Skin, Derms on Drugs, and Dermasphere, are primarily directed toward physicians, providing insights into the latest advances in research and clinical practice.^3,4 Meanwhile, other physician-focused podcasts, such as Above & Beyond Dermatology, center on career development and private practice management.⁵

On the patient side, there is a diverse array of topics covered, from current skin care trends on Skinfluence to educating patients about their conditions on Derm-it Trotter! Don’t Swear About Skincare.^6,7 Other podcasts, such as Radiance Revealed Podcast, incorporate dermatology and wellness conversations, featuring interviews across specialties aimed at improving quality of life and overall wellness.⁸

Podcasts offer a unique opportunity for patients to hear directly from dermatology experts without needing to navigate complex academic language. By presenting information in a conversational and approachable style, podcasts help demystify skin conditions, treatments, and dermatologic trends. In an era when patients are increasingly exposed to skin care misinformation and unverified advice online, podcasts serve as a trusted, expert-backed source of accurate information. Although podcasts do not replace formal dermatologic care, they empower patients to better understand their skin health, prepare more informed questions for their health care providers, and take a more active role in managing their conditions. This format can also be particularly valuable for underserved populations who may face barriers to accessing specialized dermatologic care.

Podcasts have emerged as a flexible and accessible tool for continuing medical education (CME) among residents, fellows, and practicing dermatologists. By delivering clinical pearls, research updates, and expert insights in an audio format, podcasts allow busy clinicians to stay informed during commutes, workouts, or between clinical responsibilities. Many podcasts also feature guest speakers from other specialties, such as rheumatology, oncology, and infectious diseases, which enhances interdisciplinary learning and fosters a more holistic understanding of patient care. Beyond education, podcasts can help build a sense of community within the specialty, particularly in niche or emerging fields such as dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, and skin of color dermatology. This increased connectivity helps bridge geographic and institutional gaps, promoting the sharing of diverse experiences and best practices across the broader dermatology community.

Although podcasts are often viewed primarily as entertainment, they have quickly evolved into a meaningful educational and community-building tool. By offering accessible, expert-driven content, podcasts support both patient self-education and professional development among health care providers. As the medium continues to grow, there is a significant opportunity for further innovation, including expanded CME offerings, greater inclusion of multilingual content to reach broader audiences, and new formats that foster even deeper interdisciplinary collaboration. Podcasts represent a powerful and evolving platform that can continue to enhance connectivity, knowledge sharing, and accessibility across the field of dermatology.

Sarita Pattisam is a third-year osteopathic medical student at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dublin, Ohio.

Shannon Trotter, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist and principal investigator at DOCS Dermatology Group in Columbus, Ohio, clinical instructor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the host of the Derm-it Trotter! Don’t Swear About Skincare podcast.

References

1. The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curbsiders-internal-medicine-podcast/id1198732014

2. Shearer E, Tomasik E, Randolph M. Podcasts and news fact sheet. Pew Research Center. September 25, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026. https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/podcasts-and-news-fact-sheet/

3. Learn Skin With Dr. Raja and Dr. Hadar. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learn-skin-with-dr-raja-and-dr-hadar/id1460223300

4. Dermasphere - The Dermatology Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dermasphere-the-dermatology-podcast/id1469274680

5. Above & Beyond Dermatology. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/above-beyond-dermatology/id1723427074

6. Skinfluence With Dr. Dustin Portela. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skinfluence-with-dr-dustin-portela/id1506427588

7. Derm-it Trotter! Don’t Swear About Skincare. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/derm-it-trotter-dont-swear-about-skincare/id1819504574

8. Radiance Revealed Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiance-revealed-podcast/id1541361045

9. Dr. Rebecca Baxt Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-rebecca-baxt-podcast/id1669318982

10. Topical: The Dermatology Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222