Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students

Abstract Background Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universally recognised targets designed to combat poverty, inequality, and climate change. However, there exists limited awareness and understanding of these goals among nursing and midwifery students. To address this knowledge gap, a co-d...

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Main Authors: Tara Anderson, Patrick Stark, Stephanie Craig, Johanna McMullan, Gail Anderson, Clare Hughes, Kevin Gormley, Jane Killough, Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace, Laura Steele, Sara Lynch, Jesús Sánchez-Martín, Francisco Zamora-Polo, Adam Rodman, Rongrong Li, Gary Mitchell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06268-3
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author Tara Anderson
Patrick Stark
Stephanie Craig
Johanna McMullan
Gail Anderson
Clare Hughes
Kevin Gormley
Jane Killough
Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace
Laura Steele
Sara Lynch
Jesús Sánchez-Martín
Francisco Zamora-Polo
Adam Rodman
Rongrong Li
Gary Mitchell
author_facet Tara Anderson
Patrick Stark
Stephanie Craig
Johanna McMullan
Gail Anderson
Clare Hughes
Kevin Gormley
Jane Killough
Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace
Laura Steele
Sara Lynch
Jesús Sánchez-Martín
Francisco Zamora-Polo
Adam Rodman
Rongrong Li
Gary Mitchell
author_sort Tara Anderson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universally recognised targets designed to combat poverty, inequality, and climate change. However, there exists limited awareness and understanding of these goals among nursing and midwifery students. To address this knowledge gap, a co-designed audio podcast was introduced as an educational tool to enhance students’ comprehension of SDGs and their relevance to the healthcare profession. Methods A prospective study was conducted at Queen’s University Belfast, involving 566 first-year nursing and midwifery students. A 60-minute SDG podcast, co-designed with students and stakeholders, was made accessible within the university’s learning management system. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were administered to assess changes in students’ knowledge levels and attitudes toward SDGs. Additionally, 37 participants engaged in focus group interviews six months after listening to the podcast to explore their experiences and reflections. Quantitative data was analysed using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results The podcast significantly increased students’ awareness of SDGs and their understanding of the goals’ relevance to their profession and personal lives. Post-test scores showed substantial improvements across all three sub-scales: knowledge, professional relevance, and personal relevance. Moreover, participants rated the podcast as a valuable learning resource with high acceptability, although some expressed uncertainty about replay intentions. Focus group interviews revealed three themes, including 1) More than you know’, which described how participants developed new knowledge and understanding about SDGs, 2) ‘Nurse-Midwife Nudges’, which illuminated how participants made minor changes to their behaviour and 3) ‘Fitting Format’, which highlighted how participants favoured the use of an audio podcast to learn about SDGs. Discussion This study demonstrates the potential of audio podcasts as an effective and engaging tool for increasing awareness and understanding of SDGs among nursing and midwifery students. The results suggest that such interventions can positively impact students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural intentions regarding the SDGs. The findings also emphasise the importance of co-design in developing educational resources tailored to the specific needs and preferences of students.
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series BMC Medical Education
spelling doaj-art-ec5d9aa0558a4a5eb06e582de0fa522f2025-08-20T02:49:59ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-11-0124111110.1186/s12909-024-06268-3Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery studentsTara Anderson0Patrick Stark1Stephanie Craig2Johanna McMullan3Gail Anderson4Clare Hughes5Kevin Gormley6Jane Killough7Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace8Laura Steele9Sara Lynch10Jesús Sánchez-Martín11Francisco Zamora-Polo12Adam Rodman13Rongrong Li14Gary Mitchell15Queen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyQueen’s University Belfast, Queen’s Business SchoolQueen’s University BelfastDepartamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales y Matemáticas, Facultad de Educación, Universidad de ExtremaduraDepartamento de Ingeniería del Diseño, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de SevillaHarvard University, Harvard Medical SchoolSchool of Nursing, Soochow UniversityQueen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing and MidwiferyAbstract Background Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universally recognised targets designed to combat poverty, inequality, and climate change. However, there exists limited awareness and understanding of these goals among nursing and midwifery students. To address this knowledge gap, a co-designed audio podcast was introduced as an educational tool to enhance students’ comprehension of SDGs and their relevance to the healthcare profession. Methods A prospective study was conducted at Queen’s University Belfast, involving 566 first-year nursing and midwifery students. A 60-minute SDG podcast, co-designed with students and stakeholders, was made accessible within the university’s learning management system. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were administered to assess changes in students’ knowledge levels and attitudes toward SDGs. Additionally, 37 participants engaged in focus group interviews six months after listening to the podcast to explore their experiences and reflections. Quantitative data was analysed using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results The podcast significantly increased students’ awareness of SDGs and their understanding of the goals’ relevance to their profession and personal lives. Post-test scores showed substantial improvements across all three sub-scales: knowledge, professional relevance, and personal relevance. Moreover, participants rated the podcast as a valuable learning resource with high acceptability, although some expressed uncertainty about replay intentions. Focus group interviews revealed three themes, including 1) More than you know’, which described how participants developed new knowledge and understanding about SDGs, 2) ‘Nurse-Midwife Nudges’, which illuminated how participants made minor changes to their behaviour and 3) ‘Fitting Format’, which highlighted how participants favoured the use of an audio podcast to learn about SDGs. Discussion This study demonstrates the potential of audio podcasts as an effective and engaging tool for increasing awareness and understanding of SDGs among nursing and midwifery students. The results suggest that such interventions can positively impact students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural intentions regarding the SDGs. The findings also emphasise the importance of co-design in developing educational resources tailored to the specific needs and preferences of students.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06268-3Sustainable development goalsNursingMidwiferyEducationUndergraduate nursing educationUndergraduate midwifery education
spellingShingle Tara Anderson
Patrick Stark
Stephanie Craig
Johanna McMullan
Gail Anderson
Clare Hughes
Kevin Gormley
Jane Killough
Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace
Laura Steele
Sara Lynch
Jesús Sánchez-Martín
Francisco Zamora-Polo
Adam Rodman
Rongrong Li
Gary Mitchell
Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
BMC Medical Education
Sustainable development goals
Nursing
Midwifery
Education
Undergraduate nursing education
Undergraduate midwifery education
title Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
title_full Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
title_fullStr Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
title_full_unstemmed Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
title_short Co-design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
title_sort co design and evaluation of an audio podcast about sustainable development goals for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
topic Sustainable development goals
Nursing
Midwifery
Education
Undergraduate nursing education
Undergraduate midwifery education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06268-3
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