Are YouTube videos useful for patient self-education in type 2 diabetes?

YouTube Video Clips on Breastfeeding Education and Promotion for Arabic-Speaking Populations: A Social Media Content Analysis

Background/Objective: Although the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and widely recognized, reports indicate that optimal breastfeeding rates are low in Arabic-speaking countries. This is a significant concern given the health benefits associated with breastfeeding for both infants and mothers. Previous research has shown that education interventions can increase breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Arabic-speaking populations. The social media platform YouTube holds significant potential for distributing customized health education for diverse audiences; specifically, this platform has the potential to empower mothers and normalize long-term breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of YouTube videos on breastfeeding available in the Arabic language. Methods: We used standard procedures to search YouTube for Arabic breastfeeding videos posted on YouTube in December 2023. Videos were evaluated using the three scales of the DISCERN quality evaluation instrument (reliability, information quality, video quality) and total score. Comparative statistics were generated. Results: In total, 165 videos met the inclusion criteria, with 29.7% in the Education category; 43.6% were in Egyptian Arabic dialect. Almost all (91.75%) of the educational videos had a "medium" quality assessment. Educational videos and those using health professionals had higher quality assessments than those in other categories or done with other speakers. Conclusion: The results of this review suggest that most content on the topic of breastfeeding was of only medium reliability and informational quality. New mothers seeking breastfeeding information or support may be in need of specific problem-solving information at a time when they are living with the often-difficulty reality of caring for a newborn or very young infant. There is a clear need for accurate, culturally congruent information to effectively support breastfeeding in Arabic-speaking countries. Future efforts should focus on improving the quality of online health education content, with implications for public health strategies and policy development.

The Content, Reliability, and Quality of Insulin Pen Injection Videos on YouTube as Patient Education Resource

This study, conducted using the descriptive-correlational model, aims to evaluate the content, reliability, and quality of insulin pen injection videos on YouTube. The video-sharing platform YouTube was searched with the keyword "insulin pen injection." Of the 101 relevant videos, 49 were included in the study. Video contents were evaluated independently by the "Insulin Pen Injection Guide Form," their reliability by the "DISCERN Questionnaire," and their quality by the "Global Quality Scale." Of the 49 videos that met the inclusion criteria, 55.1% contained useful information, and 44.8% contained misleading information. The videos that were found to be useful were longer and had higher DISCERN and content scores. A statistically significant positive correlation was determined between the videos' DISCERN and content scores (r = 0.772, P < .001). More than half of the insulin pen injection videos available on YouTube are helpful, but the number of misleading videos is close to the helpful ones. Thus, it may be recommended that the insulin pen injection videos be evaluated by experts in line with evidence-based guidelines before sharing them on YouTube.

A Social Media Content Analysis of Dental Health Information Involving the Use of Miswak (Salvadora persica) Chewing Stick on YouTube™

Background The widespread availability of Internet access and the rising popularity of social media platforms have facilitated the dissemination of health-related information, including dental health practices. However, assessing the quality and effectiveness of such information remains a challenge, particularly concerning traditional practices such as Miswak (Salvadora persica) usage. This study aims to assess the description, use, and effectiveness of the Miswak (Salvadora persica) chewing stick posted as video clips on YouTube™ and provide considerations for future interventions. Methodology YouTube videos were searched using the terms "Miswak," "Siwak," "Salvadora persica," and "Chewing stick." Each video's descriptive features, i.e., title, links, country of origin, upload date, running time, views, comments, likes, and dislikes, were recorded. Content quality was assessed using the DISCERN tool, which rates the reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness of online sources across 16 items. Scores were aggregated for analysis. The statistical analysis examined video features and associations between the speaker, video type, source, and quality, with significance set at a p-value <0.05 using SPSS Statistics Version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 45 videos were included in the study, with the majority (62%) created by the "other professionals" category. Almost three-quarters (73.3%) of the videos were educational. The quality of the video clips was correlated with the speaker source and category of "other," revealing that high-quality information was considered such when the source was other than a dentist. Further, we found that a video's source did not elicit differences in the opinion of the video's quality. Conclusions This social media analysis provides considerations and implications for future research on the potential use of YouTube as a platform for Miswak educational interventions.

Discussions About Binge Eating and Type 2 Diabetes in a Facebook Group: A Qualitative Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Binge eating has adverse health effects and may be 10 times more common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than in the general population. Still, binge eating is not consistently addressed in diabetes treatment. People with T2D and binge eating may, therefore, seek guidance on the topic on social media. The study objective was to explore discussions about binge eating among members of a T2D-specific Facebook group.

METHOD

Interactions among members of the Facebook group were observed over 8 months and supplemented by keyword searches within group content. The data were imported into NVivo12 and analyzed using Interpretive Description.

RESULTS

The overarching theme described how group members exchanged guidance concerning co-existing T2D and binge eating based on personal experiences while trying to resolve co-members' misapprehensions regarding binge eating. Two subthemes were generated, describing frequently discussed topics relating to binge eating triggers and inhibitors. Triggers were confusion about the health impacts of carbohydrates and encounters with unsupportive clinicians, while inhibitors included the possibility of speaking openly about binge eating with peers and hunger cues being suppressed by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

DISCUSSION

Social media may constitute an important source of support for people with T2D and binge eating, as the topic is typically not addressed in routine care. Besides being aware of the extent of binge eating in people with T2D and the health risks involved, clinicians should keep in mind that people with both conditions may seek information on social media that can affect diabetes management.

The Role of Alternative Medicine in Managing Type 2 Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder marked by elevated blood glucose levels, is increasingly prevalent globally, significantly impacting health-related quality of life. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production, presents a substantial public health challenge, necessitating comprehensive management strategies. Conventional treatments, including lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy, are essential for glycemic control and preventing complications. However, adherence to these treatments is often limited, highlighting the need for alternative strategies. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers potential cost-effective and accessible approaches for managing T2DM. Key herbal remedies like cinnamon, fenugreek, and bitter melon, along with dietary supplements like chromium, magnesium, and vanadium, have shown promise in glycemic control. Mind-body therapies, including yoga, tai chi, and meditation, contribute to improved hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood glucose levels. Research supports the integration of CAM with conventional therapies, demonstrating enhanced clinical efficacy and reduced economic burden. However, challenges such as standardization, quality control, and potential risks of herbal medicines need careful consideration. Regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations are essential to ensure patient safety and informed decision-making. Patient education and effective communication between healthcare providers and patients are crucial for integrating CAM into diabetes management. Empowerment-based interventions and collaborative approaches can enhance self-management skills and clinical outcomes. Overall, integrating CAM with conventional treatments offers a holistic approach to managing T2DM, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Broadcast health: Leveraging YouTube for community health education

OBJECTIVE

In community health, there is great demand but limited time for the delivery of staff and patient education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving needs necessitated that health education be provided in an accurate and timely manner. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a YouTube channel designed to disseminate health education to a wide audience of public health workers and patient populations.

METHODS

This project, divided into three phases, originated within shelter-based care, providing education to shelter staff (Phase 1) and overtime has evolved to provide education within the Community Health Worker Hub at a major teaching hospital for community health workers (Phase 2) and the populations they serve (Phase 3). Further, during phase 3, the project developer used an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to increase the reach of the YouTube channel.

RESULTS

Over a span of 21 months, 18 unique videos have garnered 489 views.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and educators can leverage technology platforms for health education delivery, increasing the reach of their work while meeting the demands of the profession. While the quality of some information on YouTube may be poor, patients and students turn to this platform for health education. It is imperative that public health nurses embrace this medium, rather than push against it. By creating high-quality content, educating students and patients about DISCERN and PEMAT tools, and guiding patients to credible sources, public health nurses may ameliorate the standards of health education on YouTube.

Telehealth Technologies in Diabetes Self-management and Education

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19) forced worldwide recognition and implementation of telehealth as a means of providing continuity of care by varied health care institutions. Diabetes is a global health threat with rates that continue to accelerate, thereby causing an increased need for clinicians to provide diabetes care and education to keep up with demand. Utilizing technology to provide education via phone/smartphone, video/audio, web, text message, mobile apps, or a combination of these methods can help improve patient access and clinical outcomes, cut costs, and close gaps in care.

METHODS

While numerous publications have summarized the various tools and technologies available for capturing remote clinical data and their relevance to diabetes care and self-management, this review focuses on self-educational telehealth tools available for diabetes self-management, their advantages and disadvantages, and factors that need to be considered prior to implementation. Recent relevant studies indexed by PubMed were included.

RESULTS

The widespread use and popularity of phones/smartphones, tablets, computers, and the Internet by patients of all age groups, cultures, socioeconomic and geographic areas allow for increased outreach, flexibility, and engagement with diabetes education, either in combination or as an adjunct to traditional in-person visits. Demonstrated benefits of using health technologies for diabetes self-management education include improved lifestyle habits, reduced hemoglobin A1C levels, decreased health care costs, and better medication adherence. Potential drawbacks include lack of regulation, need for staff training on methodologies used, the requirement for patients to be tech savvy, privacy concerns, lag time with technology updates/glitches, and the need for more long-term research data on efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth technologies for diabetes self-education improve overall clinical outcomes and have come a long way. With increasing numbers of patients with diabetes, it is expected that more optimal and user-friendly methodologies will be developed to fully engage and help patients communicate with their physicians.

An examination of the content of diabetes websites targeting Arabic speakers

BACKGROUND

There has been an increase in the numbers of people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region seeking online information about diabetes, as the Internet is considered a helpful tool for finding information about disease prevention and treatment. It is important that the sources available are reliable, trustworthy and easily accessible. However, the quality and readability of such information is questionable. This study examines the content of Arabic diabetes websites and offers recommendations to improve engagement and access to health information.

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional analysis approach to assess diabetes websites targeting Arabic speakers in the MENA countries. Google trends was utilized to reveal the top searched topics across the MENA region, which were used as search terms to identify the websites in search engines, resulting in the examination of 26 websites. The analysis combined automated tools with expert evaluation methods and involved five dimensions: quality, readability, engagement, popularity, and availability.

RESULTS

Overall, the majority of the websites performed poorly in the five dimensions and thus require careful reassessment of their content, design, and readability; no website performed well in all dimensions. Only two websites (7.6%) were HONcode certified, and none of the websites achieved a high score in the DISCERN analysis. The readability scores indicated that most websites were above the recommended level of reading. The results also revealed that all websites had poor engagement. Half of the websites had good ranking, and 58% of the websites covered all of the target topics. Of the websites examined, the non-commercial and non-professional sites (classified as "others") seem to have greater readability, higher bounce rates and longer visit duration than the commercial sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study show a need for improving the content of diabetes information websites available to Arabic speakers. In order to develop websites that contain easy-to-read and understand high-quality information, collaboration between multiple stakeholders is necessary.

Diabetes Mellitus on YouTube: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study to Assess the Quality and Reliability of Videos

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses a group of heterogeneous, chronic, and non-communicable diseases characterized by an increase in blood glucose levels. As it has become easily accessible for patients to know about their symptoms and treatment of diseases, it is of utmost importance that reliable information is conveyed on the internet. If not managed appropriately, it may result in the dissemination of false information, leading to risky practices and incorrect treatment, further resulting in detrimental consequences. Aim To assess the quality and reliability of information related to DM on YouTube. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in April 2023, wherein top YouTube videos related to 'diabetes' were analyzed for baseline characteristics, type of uploader, as well as quality and reliability using Global Quality Score (GQS) and Reliability Score (DISCEN), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results A total of 87 videos were evaluated in the study. Unfortunately, only 21% of those were uploaded by doctors. The median Video Power Index (VPI) for videos uploaded by other sources was the highest (184.7), and the lowest was for videos uploaded by hospitals (12.6), and this was statistically significant (p = 0.038). The median GQS was highest for videos uploaded by doctors (4) and lowest for videos uploaded by others (3.5). The reliability score was higher in videos uploaded by healthcare organizations (4), which was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions Videos uploaded by physicians and healthcare organizations contained reliable information with a high global quality score. Videos uploaded by sources other than doctors and healthcare professionals should consult physicians, as self-diagnosis or self-treatment can lead to potential harm to patients.

Video clips of the Mediterranean Diet on YouTube TM: A social Media Content Analysis

PURPOSE

The present study conducted a social media content analysis on videos describing the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) posted onYouTube.

SETTING

YouTube TM online video sharing and social media platform.

METHOD

Three independent content experts evaluated 141 YouTube videos on the MedDiet in August 2020 utilizing standard rubric and protocol. Data abstracted include media source(s) of posted videos, and viewer exposure/engagement metrics. Information quality was measured by each content expert independently through use of the DISCERN instrument, a 16-item tool designed to assess reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness of an online source, scores were then aggregated for analysis.

RESULTS

A majority of videos (n = 102, 72.3%) were educational in nature. A third of videos were less clear and less credible on information presented (n = 46, 32.6%). Most videos were posted by an individual (n = 79, 56%), and the majority of videos were rated as medium quality (n = 88, 62.4%). Overall level of user engagement as measured by number of "likes," "dislikes," and user comments varied widely across all sources of media. Exploratory correlation analysis suggests that the number of a video's views, comments, likes, and dislikes are not correlated with quality.

CONCLUSION

Study findings suggest that MedDiet health promotion and education via YouTube has the potential to reach and inform clients; however, existing video content and quality varies significantly. Future intervention research focused on MedDiet should further examine possible predictors of high quality MedDiet content utilizing diverse online video sharing platforms.

Educational quality and content of YouTube videos on diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a vision-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus due to increased vascular permeability. Patients are increasingly using YouTube videos to educate themselves about DME. This study analyzes the content and quality of YouTube videos about DME.

METHODS

Videos were searched in December 2021 for "diabetic macular edema." The first 100 videos sorted by both relevance and view count were reviewed (n = 200). Quantitative metrics and content were collected. Two reviewers assessed videos using the JAMA (0-4), modified DISCERN (1-5), and Global Quality Scale (GQS, 1-5). Videos were sorted into author groups: 1 (academic institutions/organizations), 2 (private practices/organizations), and 3 (independent users; ophthalmologist users noted). Statistical analyses were deemed significant at a = 0.05.

RESULTS

One hundred four videos were included after applying exclusion criteria. Overall mean + standard deviations were 2.25 ± 0.83 (JAMA), 3.47 ± 0.55 (DISCERN), and 3.95 ± 0.95 (GQS). 51.9% of videos stated a definition, 32.7% mentioned screening, and 50% mentioned any DME risk factor. Healthcare professional-targeted videos had higher JAMA and DISCERN scores than patient-targeted videos (p < 0.05). Videos using ophthalmologists had higher JAMA and DISCERN scores than those lacking their presence (p < 0.05). JAMA scores significantly varied between author groups; within group 3, ophthalmologist-authored videos had higher DISCERN scores (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Videos without ophthalmologists or targeted toward patients had poor quality and content coverage. The rising prevalence of diabetes, coupled with increased internet use for acquiring medical information, creates a strong need for high-quality information about DME.

Diabetic foot care training and the presence of nurses in Turkish YouTube videos

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the content of Turkish YouTube videos as a source of information on diabetic foot care training and the presence of nurses in these videos were examined.

METHODS

A search was performed in the video sharing platform YouTube with the keyword "diabetic foot care" on 09.12.2020. From 200 videos, 87 were included in the study, and they were independently evaluated by two investigators for their usefulness, reliability, and quality.

RESULTS

Of the videos, 8% were categorized as very useful, 33.3% moderately useful, 51.7% somewhat useful, and 6.9% not useful, while 4.6% contained misleading information. It was also found that the instructor was a nurse in only 12.6% of these videos.

CONCLUSION

There is useful information about diabetic foot care on YouTube; however, there are also videos with misleading information. In addition, it has been observed that very few of these videos were prepared by nurses. In order to improve the foot care behaviors of individuals with diabetes, it may be suggested that professional groups, especially nurses who are primarily responsible for training and care, should create original, detailed, and interesting videos on appropriate diabetic foot care.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in social media: Content analysis of YouTube videos

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics, content, and quality of information available on YouTube regarding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and explore the search results and number of views and quality of the videos. A search was performed on YouTube on 10 June 2020, using the search term ''Lou Gehrig's disease" in the Korean language, and the first 100 videos were targeted for analysis. General characteristics (e.g., number of views, video length, etc.) were collected, and upload source, target audience, subject of the video, and quality of the videos using a global quality score (GQS) were assessed. About two-thirds of the videos were for the general public (62.0%), while the other third were made for patients and their families with ALS (38.0%). The mean GQS was 3.70 ± 1.42, and 60 videos were classified as high-quality videos. ALS-related videos on YouTube play a role in raising awareness among the general public of this devastating disease, however, practical information regarding disease management for patients and family is relatively insufficient. The quality and characteristics of the videos varied greatly and sometimes the lowest quality videos were shown in the top pages of search results.

What Are Patients Watching? A Quality and Content Evaluation of YouTube Videos About Gestational Diabetes. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

People with gestational diabetes have enhanced learning requirements during pregnancy, and management of their disease often requires the translation of health information into new health behavior changes. Seeking information from the internet to augment learning from health professionals is becoming more common during pregnancy. YouTube is a popular free and accessible web-based resource, which may be particularly useful for individuals with low health literacy or other barriers to receiving high-quality health care; however, the quality and content of YouTube videos varies, and little is known about those covering gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically evaluate the quality, content, and reliability of YouTube videos about gestational diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic search of YouTube videos was conducted over the course of 1 week in April 2020 using the following keywords: "gestational diabetes," "gestational diabetes management," "gestational diabetes treatment," and "pregnancy and diabetes." The search results were displayed by relevance, replicating a default YouTube search attempt. The first 60 results from each keyword were reviewed (n=240). Exclusion criteria were videos unrelated to gestational diabetes, videos not in English, and those for which the full video was not available at the time of review. For each unique video, a gestational diabetes content score was used to rate video comprehensiveness and accuracy, and the DISCERN instrument, a validated metric to assess consumer health information, was used to evaluate the reliability of information presented. Videos were further categorized by quality: videos with DISCERN scores lower than 3 (out of 5) or a content score less than 4 (out of 7) were categorized as low quality, and all others were designated high quality. We performed descriptive analysis and compared video characteristics by source and quality rating.

RESULTS

For 115 unique videos, the mean content score (out of 7) was 3.5 (SD 2.0) , and the mean DISCERN score (out of 5) was 2.7 (SD 0.7), representing low to moderate information comprehensiveness and reliability respectively. Video sources were categorized as personal vlog (12/115, 10.4%), web-based education (37/115, 32.2%), medical (52/115, 45.2%), business or company (13/115, 11.3%), and media clip (1/115, 0.9%). DISCERN and content scores trended higher among medical and web-based education videos. The majority of videos (n=88) were categorized as low quality, while 27 videos were categorized as high quality. Video duration was longer for high-quality videos (P<.001); high- and low-quality videos otherwise had similar views and viewer interaction numbers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although high-quality videos about gestational diabetes exist, reliability, accuracy, and comprehensiveness were low overall, and higher quality was not associated with increased viewer interaction. It is important to acknowledge the limitations of this platform and to assist patients in accessing high quality content and differentiating the quality of information sources.

Contents related to nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic on the Youtube™ platform

OBJECTIVE

to characterize the content of Youtube™ videos related to nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

a qualitative study that examined 47 videos on Youtube™ posted between 11/03 and 11/04 2020, which were subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

four categories emerged: "the role of nurses in care production during the pandemic", which addresses the management of services and individual care; "Overview of the pandemic from the perspective of nurses in different countries", presenting experiences and encouraging physical distance; "Tributes and motivation to mobilize the category", in addition to targeted tributes, calls for nurses to claim their rights; "Criticisms and demands to improve working conditions", which highlights the insecurity of care provision settings.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

nursing work conditions in different countries, recognition of the importance of professionals during the pandemic, and claims of the category to improve working conditions were the main content found on Youtube™.

Prevalence of Health Misinformation on Social Media: Systematic Review

Background

Although at present there is broad agreement among researchers, health professionals, and policy makers on the need to control and combat health misinformation, the magnitude of this problem is still unknown. Consequently, it is fundamental to discover both the most prevalent health topics and the social media platforms from which these topics are initially framed and subsequently disseminated.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to identify the main health misinformation topics and their prevalence on different social media platforms, focusing on methodological quality and the diverse solutions that are being implemented to address this public health concern.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published in English before March 2019, with a focus on the study of health misinformation in social media. We defined health misinformation as a health-related claim that is based on anecdotal evidence, false, or misleading owing to the lack of existing scientific knowledge. We included (1) articles that focused on health misinformation in social media, including those in which the authors discussed the consequences or purposes of health misinformation and (2) studies that described empirical findings regarding the measurement of health misinformation on these platforms.

Results

A total of 69 studies were identified as eligible, and they covered a wide range of health topics and social media platforms. The topics were articulated around the following six principal categories: vaccines (32%), drugs or smoking (22%), noncommunicable diseases (19%), pandemics (10%), eating disorders (9%), and medical treatments (7%). Studies were mainly based on the following five methodological approaches: social network analysis (28%), evaluating content (26%), evaluating quality (24%), content/text analysis (16%), and sentiment analysis (6%). Health misinformation was most prevalent in studies related to smoking products and drugs such as opioids and marijuana. Posts with misinformation reached 87% in some studies. Health misinformation about vaccines was also very common (43%), with the human papilloma virus vaccine being the most affected. Health misinformation related to diets or pro–eating disorder arguments were moderate in comparison to the aforementioned topics (36%). Studies focused on diseases (ie, noncommunicable diseases and pandemics) also reported moderate misinformation rates (40%), especially in the case of cancer. Finally, the lowest levels of health misinformation were related to medical treatments (30%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of health misinformation was the highest on Twitter and on issues related to smoking products and drugs. However, misinformation on major public health issues, such as vaccines and diseases, was also high. Our study offers a comprehensive characterization of the dominant health misinformation topics and a comprehensive description of their prevalence on different social media platforms, which can guide future studies and help in the development of evidence-based digital policy action plans.