A Virtual Mobility (VM) activity was conducted within CODE-YAA to explore English-language podcasts related to palliative care, hospice care and end-of-life care and to inform the possible development of a future CODE-YAA podcast series. The aim was not to identify a single “best” podcast model, but to systematically map how existing podcasts are produced, structured and disseminated, and to identify feasible approaches that could be adapted within CODE-YAA.
The analysis was conducted at two levels. First, 12 eligible podcast series were reviewed in relation to their producer type, publication pattern, episode duration, host and guest arrangements, distribution platforms, video availability and supporting dissemination materials. Second, the three most recent eligible full episodes from each series were examined, resulting in a sample of 36 episodes. These were compared using common characteristics such as duration, title structure, conversation format, introductions and closings, formal segments, guest introductions, content scope and calls to action.
The findings showed that there is no single standardized model for palliative care podcasts. Nevertheless, institutional production, the use of expert guests and multi-platform distribution were common features. Most reviewed episodes used interview or conversational formats, while episode length varied substantially, with a median duration of approximately 31 minutes. Professional and research-oriented content was frequently combined with discussion of education, healthcare systems and broader social issues, and personal experiences were also incorporated into many conversations.
The findings from the VM were translated into a practical implementation proposal linked to the podcast-related dissemination ambitions of the CODE-YAA Memorandum of Understanding. A finite, approximately 10-episode, audio-only and semi-structured series coordinated by WG6 was identified as one feasible option. Episode topics could be proposed by Working Groups and Action members according to their expertise and experiences, with recordings completed and edited before publication and subsequently disseminated through Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the CODE-YAA website.
