The AOT Podcast: Providing Educational Resources On-the-go

01 October 2025 (Last updated: 3 Oct 2025 11:34)

Many ENT trainees travel long distances for their work and training, often spending hours commuting each day. Due to the wide range and variability of clinical rotations during higher surgical training, trainees frequently find themselves commuting long distances, sometimes requiring them to use multiple modes of transport or even relocate for extended periods. These commutes can often exceed three hours per day, significantly reducing the time available for exam preparation. To help trainees make the most of their commuting time, the Association of Otolaryngologists in Training (AOT) have produced an educational podcast series, providing short, easily accessible educational content to listen to on the go.

The AOT Pod is the first ENT educational podcast of its kind in the UK. It covers important clinical topics from the ENT training curriculum, such as ear infections, throat conditions, and head and neck cancers. Each episode lasts around 15-25 minutes and is structured as a conversation between a trainee and a consultant. The discussions focus on practical advice, key clinical knowledge, and exam tips to help trainees prepare for their final assessments. The podcast was written, recorded, and produced by members of the AOT 2024/25 Committee, led by the Educational Co-Leads, Georgina Wellstead and AOT Vice President Joshua Michaels, and was supported by an education grant from the ENT UK Foundation. 

Thanks to funding from the ENT UK Foundation Grant, the project covered costs such as hosting the podcast on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, allowing it to reach listeners easily and securely. Since its launch, the podcast has been listened to in over 225 locations across 36 countries, with more than 600 downloads per month and a growing audience.

The podcast improves the experience of ENT training by providing accessible, high-quality learning resources. This helps trainees feel more confident and better prepared, ultimately improving the quality of care they provide to patients. Looking ahead, the team plans to continue producing episodes and hopes to expand the project further, ensuring future ENT trainees benefit from this flexible and effective learning tool.