YouTube as a Source of Information and Education on Hysterectomy

Impact of social media on patient expectations and decision-making in gynecology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Social media has transformed how patients access and interpret gynecological health information, significantly influencing their expectations and medical decision-making. This comprehensive review examines how social media impacts patients' understanding of diagnoses, pursuit of treatment options, and interactions with healthcare providers. The increasing reliance on online content presents challenges, particularly when patients prioritize social media content over evidence-based recommendations. Given the rapid evolution of digital platforms, it is essential to understand the current trends and their impact on clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies demonstrate that while social media offers unprecedented access to health information and community support, it simultaneously propagates misinformation that can adversely affect clinical encounters. Patients frequently turn to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for gynecologic health information, though much of this content is anecdotal and lacks scientific validity. Research shows that while these platforms offer a wealth of information, the quality of this information is inconsistent, often leading to misconceptions about medical conditions and treatments. Healthcare providers face the dual challenge of addressing misconceptions while leveraging these platforms to enhance patient education and shared decision-making.

SUMMARY

Understanding the influence of social media can help improve the accuracy of online health information and reduce stigma and social barriers surrounding gynecologic issues. Strengthening digital literacy and integrating reliable online resources into clinical practice can enhance patient education and promote informed decision-making in gynecology and gynecologic surgery.

Evaluating the Quality and Reliability of YouTube as a Source of Information on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Call to Publish More Quality Videos by Professionals

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a medical intervention employed to provide life-sustaining support for patients. YouTube is a dynamic and widely utilized platform for distributing health-related information. The aim of this study was to evaluate ECMO-related videos on YouTube and assess the frequency of misleading information in the accumulation of ECMO videos.

METHODS

On September 17, 2024, an in-depth examination on YouTube was conducted using search phrases "Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation" and "ECMO treatment." The study included 55 selected videos. Video parameters and sources were analyzed. Content assessments were conducted utilizing the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the modified DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials (PEMAT-A/V). The authors conducted comparisons among quality groups.

RESULTS

Among the 55 videos analyzed, 30.9% (n = 17) were categorized as low quality, 21.8% (n = 12) as intermediate quality, and 47.3% (n = 26) as high quality. Physicians (75%) provided the most high-quality videos. News outlets (83.3%) provided the most low-quality videos. No statistically significant difference was observed between quality groups in daily views, likes, and comments (P > 0.05). Significant correlations were identified between video duration and GQS (r = 0.585), modified DISCERN questionnaire (r = 0.557), JAMA Benchmark Criteria (r = 0.511), PEMAT-A/V Understandability (r = 0.530), and PEMAT-A/V Actionability scores (r = 0.433) (P < 0.001 for all correlation analyses).

CONCLUSION

There is a wide variety in the quality of YouTube ECMO videos. Although YouTube content created by physicians is more likely to provide accurate and beneficial information, substandard videos present a significant public health threat by disseminating misinformation. The critical role of quality control methods on social media platforms in ensuring the accurate and high-quality transmission of health-related information is readily evident.

Assessment of YouTube videos on post-dural puncture headache: a cross-sectional study

Background

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication of central neuroaxis anesthesia or analgesia, causing severe headaches. YouTube is widely used for health information, but the reliability and quality of PDPH-related content are unclear. This study evaluates the content adequacy, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos on PDPH.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed English-language YouTube videos on PDPH with good audiovisual quality. Two independent reviewers assessed the videos using the DISCERN instrument, Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Correlations between video characteristics and their reliability, content adequacy, and quality scores were examined.

Results

Out of 71 videos, 42.3% were uploaded by health-related websites, 36.6% by physicians, and 21.1% by patients. Strong correlations were found between DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores (p < 0.001). Videos from physicians and health-related websites had significantly higher scores than those from patients (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were observed between descriptive characteristics and scores (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

YouTube videos on PDPH uploaded by health-related websites or physicians are more reliable, adequate, and higher in quality than those uploaded by patients. Source credibility is crucial for evaluating medical information on YouTube.

Evaluating YouTube Videos With Prophylactic Mastectomy Content in Terms of Their Quality and Reliability

Aim: Purpose of this study is to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube video contents on prophylactic mastectomy. Material and Methods: The search terms "prophylactic mastectomy," "prophylactic mastectomy surgery," "preventive surgery for breast cancer," "risk-reducing mastectomy," and "prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction" were searched on YouTube. The uploader, video content, length (seconds), upload date, number of days since upload date, number of views, number of comments, and likes were recorded and evaluated. Finally, the videos included in the study were evaluated using modified Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Results: The total number of views of the 50 videos reviewed in the study was found as 3.674.469. The mean DISCERN score of the two observers was calculated as 3.35 ± 1, and the videos were found to be of medium reliability. The mean GQS score of all videos was 3.39 ± 0.9 and the videos were of medium quality. The researchers gave 1-2 points (misleading) to 7 (14%) videos, 3 points (somewhat helpful) to 20 (40%) videos, 4 points (beneficial) to 16 (32%) videos, and 5 points (excellent) to 7 (14%) videos. Conclusion: In our study, we found that the videos uploaded by doctors were of good quality, the videos uploaded by health channels were of medium quality, and the videos uploaded by patients were of poor quality and misleading. The videos with health contents should be evaluated by the relevant specialists, and only useful videos should be broadcast.

Investigating ethical considerations in the communication network of married women undergone hysterectomy: instrumentation of a questionnaire

INTRODUCTION

Considering the importance of complying medical and general ethics and the lack of a study on determining ethical considerations in the communication network of women undergoing hysterectomy surgery, this study aimed to present these aspects in the patients' lives by a standard researcher-made instrument.

METHOD

This mixed method analysis (exploratory sequential mixed methods design was conducted in the whole of 2020 to create the "ethical considerations in communication network of women undergone hysterectomy" questionnaire and investigate its psychometric properties. A researched-made instrument was validated and its psychometric properties were checked among 218 women by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

RESULTS

Accordingly, the 8 factors extracted included "complying ethical consideration by the physician (a)", "complying ethical consideration by medical team (b)", "complying ethical consideration in the hospital (c)", "complying ethical consideration by the secretory in the clinic (d)", "complying ethical consideration by the spouse (e)", and "complying ethical consideration by the family and friends (f)", "complying ethical consideration by the media and society (g)" and "complying ethical consideration by herself (h)". The results of Cronbach's alpha test showed that there is moderate to good internal consistency in all dimensions. Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire was calculated as 0.75, which shows that the internal consistency is at a good level.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, the reliability (internal consistency) and construct validity of the ethical considerations in the communication network of women undergoing hysterectomy questionnaire were confirmed. However, in light of the study limitations, caution should be practiced in the interpretation of the results. There is a need for further longitudinal studies in multiple settings using random sampling methods.

Assessing the Quality of Social Media Content Regarding Facial Paralysis and Reanimation

Introduction: Patients frequently use social media to direct their health care. However, the quality of social media posts regarding facial paralysis and reanimation is unclear. Objective: To assess the quality of facial reanimation posts on social media. Methods: Ten key search terms were used to search YouTube and Facebook. The top 10 posts for each search term were graded using a variety of parameters including the Global Quality Score (GQS), Modified DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association Criteria, and a novel Social Media Quality Score (SMQS) which was created by the authors. Results: There was a significant difference in SMQS (P = .035) and GQS (P = .01) between YouTube and Facebook Videos. For YouTube videos, there was a significant difference in SMQS scores (P = .003) between various search terms. For Facebook videos, there was a significant difference in both SMQS (P < .0001) and Modified DISCERN (P = .036) scores. The majority of videos evaluated were of moderate or low quality. Conclusion: Higher quality posts regarding facial reanimation are needed on social media. As health care providers, we must provide patients with appropriate resources to find high-quality posts, and when posting content, we must carefully curate the "key words" so that patients can easily find high-quality content.

The evaluation of surgical content in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy videos on YouTube

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of surgical content in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) videos on YouTube.

STUDY DESIGN

On February 20, 2024, a search was conducted on YouTube using the keyword "laparoscopic radical hysterectomy," filtering videos with durations over 20 min and sorting by relevance. Two experienced gynecologists assessed the first 250 videos retrieved to determine if they illustrated anatomical landmarks and surgical procedures in a standardized step-by-step manner.

RESULTS

Forty videos met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Sixty percent (24 out of 40) of these videos presented the complete list of predetermined surgical steps. According to the LAP-VEGaS assessment tool, only 32.5 % (13 out of 40) of the videos achieved a total score of 11 or higher, and 12.5 % (5 out of 40) scored 12 or higher. Videos with a LAP-VEGaS score of 11 or above had a statistically higher number of views per day (4.64 [IQR: 10.47]) compared to those with a lower score (1.48 [IQR: 3.40], p = 0.019). Additionally, videos featuring a didactic voice were significantly more popular, with higher views per day compared to those with music or no audio (8.66 [IQR: 32.75] vs. 1.69 [IQR: 3.12], p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The majority of LRH videos on YouTube lacked comprehensive surgical content and received low LAP-VEGaS scores. Videos with a didactic voice and higher LAP-VEGaS scores tended to attract more viewers.

Quality and Educational Value of YouTube Surgical Videos of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction The aim of the study is to evaluate the quality and educational value of surgical videos on YouTube (Alphabet Inc., Mountain View, CA) demonstrating transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods A thorough YouTube search for "TURP" or "transurethral resection of the prostate" was performed. Each video's uploader, content, duration, date of upload, time since upload, views, comments, likes, and dislikes, and Video Power Index (VPI) scores were recorded and evaluated. Video analysis and rating followed the LAParoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAP-VEGaS) recommendations, which constitute nine items with values from 0 (absence) to 2 (complete presence). The guidelines' overall score can be 0 to 18. A higher score is indicative of a better level of educational value. Results There were a total of 43 videos included, 10 (23.3%) of which were academic publications. The average LAP-VEGaS score was 6.58, with 22 (51.2%), 18 (41.8%), and three (7%) videos classified as having low, medium, and high educational quality, respectively. None of the videos satisfied all the requirements outlined in the checklist. There was no statistically significant positive correlation observed between the educational score and the number of views. Conclusion A significant proportion of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) videos available on the YouTube platform exhibit limited educational value. Videos frequently lack comprehensive and in-depth descriptions of surgical operations. Those seeking information on TURP should carefully choose which videos to view. It is recommended that academic institutions establish comprehensive criteria aimed at enhancing the educational value of surgical videos on the YouTube platform.

Laparoscopic myomectomy videos on WebSurg and YouTube: does peer review process make a difference?

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of laparoscopic myomectomy videos on YouTube and WebSurg.

Material and Methods

We searched using the keyword "laparoscopic myomectomy" on WebSurg and selected surgical interventions in the gynecology section. Eleven videos on WebSurg were enrolled. We selected the 22 most-relevant videos on YouTube to create a comparison group, with a ratio of 1:2. Sound in videos, number of subscribers, views, likes, and comments, number of days since videos were uploaded and durations of videos were recorded. View/day, like/view, like/subscriber, and view/subscriber ratios were calculated. The videos were evaluated with usefulness score (US), global quality scoring (GQS), modified discern score (mDS) and laparoscopic surgery video educational guidelines (LAP-VEGaS).

Results

The view/day ratio was lower in WebSurg compared to YouTube [1.3 (1.9) vs. 7.5 (30.6), respectively; p=0.039]. No difference was found between WebSurg and YouTube in terms of US, GQS and mDS. On LAP-VEGaS assessment, WebSurg was found to be superior to YouTube in terms of intraoperative findings [2 (1-2) vs. 1 (0-2), p=0.001], additional materials [1 (0-2) vs. 1 (0-1), p=0.041], audio/written commentary [2 (2-2) vs. 2 (0-2), p=0.037], image quality [2 (2-2) vs. 2 (0-2), p=0.023], questions and total score [12 (11-13) vs. 10.5 (4-13), p=0.006]. The proportion of high-quality video was higher in WebSurg compared to YouTube, when the cut-off value of total score of 11 or 12 was used as 10 (100%) vs. 10 (50%), p=0.011 and 9 (90%) vs. 5 (25%), p=0.001, respectively.

Conclusion

WebSurg was better compared to YouTube in terms of quality of laparoscopic myomectomy videos.

Exercises for fibromyalgia syndrome: what YouTube tells us as a source of information for patient and physician education

OBJECTIVE

YouTube, a popular worldwide source to access health information online, may have an impact in enhancing exercise therapy for fibromyalgia patients. This study is aimed to investigate the quality and reliability of exercise videos prepared for fibromyalgia syndrome on YouTube.

METHODS

A thorough search on YouTube using six search terms related to fibromyalgia treatment and exercise was conducted. The videos with content on exercises for fibromyalgia, acceptable audio-video quality, and are in English language were included, whereas duplicates were excluded from the analysis. Quality was determined using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and JAMA system, and reliability using the mDISCERN criteria.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 600 videos, 70 videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Physicians were found to produce content mostly in high and medium quality (%70.2), other medical professionals mostly in low and medium quality (93.8%), while non-medical users mostly in low quality (86.7%). Ninety percent of the videos targeted patients, while 10% targeted healthcare professionals as an audience, and the majority (93.7%) of videos targeting patients were of low and medium quality, as most (85.7%) of the videos targeting healthcare professionals were of high quality.

CONCLUSION

YouTube can be used as a tool to increase exercise adherence in fibromyalgia patients, as it offers a wide range of content that is easily accessible and useful at times. To implement this tool, physicians need to upload more content online as they stand for pioneers of high-quality information dissemination on the internet. KeyPoints • This research emphasizes the need for high-quality online healthcare information which is accessed by a vast number of individuals and the implementations that effectively address and prevent the spread of misinformation. • Additionally, it presents suggestions for the future regarding the uploading of such content on the internet. • Physicians hold the key responsibility in ensuring the availability of high-quality online health content, thereby carrying significant implications for its overall impact.

The new checklist to evaluate educational value of YouTube surgical videos of transurethral resection of the prostate

Background

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a widespread, effective way to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Many medical students and junior clinicians increasingly turn to easily accessible online resources to learn this technique, such as videos on YouTube. This study assessed the educational value of YouTube videos about TURP, which are popular among many young surgeons.

Methods

We searched YouTube as of August 2, 2022 for videos fulfilling the search terms "transurethral resection of the prostate", "benign prostatic hyperplasia", "BPH", "TURP", "benign prostatic enlargement", "bladder outlet obstruction" and "lower urinary tract symptom". We assessed the educational value of the identified videos using a custom-designed checklist.

Results

We identified 47 relevant videos, 20 of which were posted after July 1, 2020. The average number of views was 576,379±208,535 (range, 54-1,385,713). The average quality score of the videos was 7.38±2.53 (range, 4-12) on a 15-point scale, and 20 were judged to be of low educational quality. Quality scores correlated positively with the number of likes (R=0.596, P<0.01).

Conclusions

The educational value of most TURP videos on YouTube appears to be low, with most lacking detailed explanations of preoperative preparations and the surgical procedure. High-quality video resources about TURP need to be developed for medical students and junior surgeons. Standard quality criteria should also be developed and disseminated to ensure the production of accurate learning resources for junior clinicians.

Comparison of Educational and Academic Quality of Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy Videos on WebSurg® and YouTube® Platforms

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the educational and academic quality of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) videos on YouTube® and WebSurg® platforms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

YouTube and WebSurg platforms were searched with the keyword "laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy". According to the exclusion criteria, 12 videos were found on WebSurg. To ensure a 1:1 ratio, the first 12 videos that met the criteria on YouTube were also analyzed. Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria were used to evaluate the reliability of the videos. The non-educational quality of the videos was calculated using the Global Quality Score (GQS), the educational and academic quality of videos was calculated using Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy-specific score (LDP-SS) and Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines scoring system (LAP-VEGaS).

RESULTS

The mean JAMA score was 1.58 on YouTube and 2.83 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median GQS was 2 on YouTube and 5 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median LAP-VEGaS score was 8 on YouTube and 14.5 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median LDP-SS score was 6 on YouTube and 9.5 on WebSurg (P = .001). According to the LAP-VEGaS, eleven (91.7%) of the WebSurg videos had a high score of 11 or more (P = .04). According to Spearman correlation analysis, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between LDP-SS and JAMA, GQS and LAP-VEGaS (r: .589, P = .002; r: .648, P = .001; r: .848, P < .001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The WebSurg is superior to the YouTube in terms of educational and academic value, quality, accuracy, reliability and usability in scientific meetings for LDP videos.

Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Metastatic Breast Cancer in Young Women: Systematic Assessment

BACKGROUND

Young women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are part of a digitally connected generation yet are underserved in terms of information needs. YouTube is widely used to find and identify health information. The accessibility of health-related content on social media together with the rare and marginalized experiences of young women with MBC and the digital media practices of younger generations imply a considerable likelihood that young women with MBC will seek information and community on the internet.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the content quality of MBC YouTube videos and to identify themes in the experiences of young women with MBC based on YouTube videos.

METHODS

A systematic assessment of MBC YouTube videos using the search term "metastatic breast cancer young" was conducted in August 2021. The search was performed in an incognito browser and with no associated YouTube or Google account. Search results were placed in order from most to least views. Title, date uploaded, length, poster identity, number of likes, and number of comments were collected. Understandability and actionability were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT); information reliability and quality were assessed with DISCERN. Themes, sponsorships, and health care professionals' and patients' narratives were reported.

RESULTS

A total of 101 videos were identified. Of these, 78.2% (n=79) included sponsorships. The mean PEMAT scores were 78.8% (SD 15.3%) and 43.1% (SD 45.2%) for understandability and actionability, respectively. The mean DISCERN score was 2.44 (SD 0.7) out of 5. Identified themes included treatment (n=67, 66.3%), family relationship (n=46, 45.5%), and motherhood (n=38, 37.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube videos about young women with MBC are highly understandable but demonstrate moderate rates of actionability, with low reliability and quality scores. Many have a commercial bias. While web-based materials have limitations, their potential to provide patient support is not fully developed. By acknowledging their patients' media habits, health care professionals can further develop a trusting bond with their patients, provide a space for open and honest discussions of web-based materials, and avoid any potential instances of confusion caused by misleading, inaccurate, or false web-based materials.

Evaluating YouTube Videos on Facelift Surgery for Facial Rejuvenation as a Resource for Patients

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the content and patient educational quality of YouTube videos on facelift surgery for facial rejuvenation. This study investigated the relationship between education quality compared to video content, video metrics, and popularity.

METHODS

Two hundred videos were identified across 4 search terms: "facelift surgery," "facelift surgery what to expect," "facelift surgery patient education," and "what is facelift surgery." Unrelated videos, operating room recordings, medical professional lectures, non-English, non-audio, and testimonials were excluded from review. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS) (range: 1-5), modified DISCERN score (range: 5-25), and JAMA Benchmark Criteria (range: 0-4). Secondary outcomes included upload source, video metrics (views, likes, dislikes, duration, days since upload, comments), and Video Power Indexto measure popularity. The first 10 comments on videos were characterized as positive, neutral, or negative.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-three videos were excluded (43 did not meet criteria, 100 duplicates), and 57 videos were included. Fifty-five videos (96.5%) were uploaded by private medical practices. Overall video quality was poor across all 3 scoring systems: GQS (2.92 ± 1.14), modified DISCERN (13.03 ± 3.64), and JAMA Benchmark Criteria (1.78 ± 0.52). Popularity positively correlated with JAMA Benchmark Criteria (R = .49, P < .05) but did not correlate with other quality criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing facelift surgery, there are limited educational videos on YouTube with few videos detailing indications, alternatives, complications, and the postoperative course. YouTube is a growing resource for patient education and opportunities exist for medical institutions to produce higher-quality videos for prospective patients.

Hysteroscopy in the new media: quality and reliability analysis of hysteroscopy procedures on YouTube™

BACKGROUND

Hysteroscopy plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing various intrauterine pathologies. However, its execution can be influenced by patients' perception and understanding, which are often shaped by digital resources such as YouTubeTM. Given its popularity and accessibility, YouTubeTM has the potential to greatly influence patients' knowledge and expectations about this procedure, highlighting the need for accurate and reliable information.

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the reliability and quality of hysteroscopy information available to patients on YouTubeTM. Understanding the nature of information patients' access can help address their fears and potential misunderstandings about the procedure, consequently reducing the likelihood of suspension or postponement due to anxiety.

METHODS

A comprehensive analysis of YouTubeTM was conducted, simulating the search process of a patient seeking information about hysteroscopy. The study evaluated the reliability and quality of 90 out of the first 100 hysteroscopy-related videos on YouTubeTM, scored by four gynecologists-two experienced hysteroscopists and two trainees. The videos were assessed for reliability and quality using the mDISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS) scores.

RESULTS

The average mDISCERN and GQS scores for the evaluated videos were below the optimal three points, highlighting the lack of fluency, comprehensiveness, and reliability of the available information. Notably, while videos produced by experts, including doctors and professional channels, had higher scores, they still fell short of the minimum score of 3. These videos also were not considered more suitable for either patients or trainees. Videos that were assessed as reliable (mDISCERN ≥ 3) were observed to be longer and were more frequently produced by doctors. These videos were suggested more to trainees rather than patients. Similarly, videos deemed as fluent and comprehensive (GQS ≥ 3) were longer and were more often recommended to patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While YouTubeTM is a widely used source of medical information, the quality and reliability of hysteroscopy videos on the platform are poor. The strategic use of selected, high-quality hysteroscopy videos can enhance procedure success and alleviate patient fears. However, the unsupervised discovery of information by patients could potentially lead to procedure failure or an elevated level of stress due to misleading or incorrect information.

The Quality of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Videos on YouTube

Objective  YouTube (YouTube LLC, San Bruno, California, United States), one of the most accessed sites on the internet, has become a widespread source of healthcare information for patients. Videos about coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) have accrued tens of millions of views on the platform, yet their educational quality is unknown. This study investigates the educational landscape of videos regarding CABG procedures on YouTube. Methods YouTube was queried for "Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery" and "Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedure". After applying exclusion criteria, 73 videos were assessed. Two independent reviewers rated the material with the Global Quality Scale (GQS) (5 = high quality, 0 = low quality) to judge educational value. A ratio of view count to days since upload was applied to assess video popularity. Source, modality, and date of upload were recorded for each video as well. Results An average GQS score of 2.94 was found, indicating poor educational quality of the 73 YouTube videos on CABG procedures. Videos uploaded by physicians (56/73; 76.7%) had a significantly higher average GQS score than those uploaded by non-physicians (p<0.001). When content was grouped by delivery method, physician-led presentations (24/73 or 32.9%) produced the highest average GQS score of 3.35; conversely, patient-friendly delivery methods (18/73 or 24.7%) yielded the lowest average GQS score of 2.36 (p<0.001). Neither the view ratio nor the days since upload significantly correlated with the educational quality of the video. Conclusion Although CABG videos are readily available on YouTube, they often contain considerable biases and misleading information. With online sources for healthcare education now commonplace, physicians must be aware of the vast quantities of low-quality videos patients often encounter when weighing different treatment options. Further analysis of CABG videos on YouTube may allow physicians to ameliorate this gap by producing videos that are not only high quality but highly viewed on the platform.

YouTube as a Source of Information on Lipedema: Property, Quality, and Reliability Assessment

Background/Aim: YouTube provides information on several health-conditions including lipedema. The aim of this study was to investigate the properties, quality, and quantity of YouTube videos on lipedema. Methods: We explored YouTube using the key word lipedema and the initial top 50 videos were included to review. The properties comprising informers, target, and domains of videos covering number of views, likes, dislikes, duration, viewing rate (VR), and video power index (VPI) were recorded. A modified DISCERN tool and global quality scale (GQS) were used to assess the reliability and quality of videos, respectively. Results: The top 50 videos had a mean of 35,805 views, 282 likes, 12 dislikes, and 30 comments. The mean VPI (96.4) and VR (63.8%) were high. The videos were generally uploaded by health professionals for patient/public and health professional targets with the same ratio (50%). The majority of video contents was related to general information (68%) followed by surgical treatment (62%). Only a small ratio of their content (22%) was about nonsurgical management. The reliability and quality of the videos were intermediate to low. The median DISCERN and GQS scores were higher in the videos uploaded by health professional group compared with nonhealth professionals, but the number of views, VPI, and VR were similar between the groups with regard to the source. Conclusion: YouTube videos on lipedema are mostly provided by health professionals targeting both public/patients and health care providers but the content is limited and the quality and reliability of them were low to intermediate. Therefore, the lipedema specialists are suggested to work together to create up-to-date, high-quality, accessible online educational content to meet the needs of both patients/public and the health professionals. In addition, control mechanisms and careful peer reviewing of the videos informed by nonhealth professionals are warranted to avoid misleading information.

Evaluation of the reliability and quality of YouTube videos as a source of information for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Background

YouTube plays an influential role in disseminating health-related information in the digital age. This study aimed to evaluate YouTube videos on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in terms of their information value and quality.

Methods

In this descriptive study, we ranked the first 100 videos that met the inclusion criteria using the search term "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation" on October 30, 2022. These videos were classified according to the number of views, likes, dislikes, comments, duration, popularity and content categories. Reliability, quality, and accuracy of the videos were assessed using the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria and Modified DISCERN Questionnaire and Global Quality Score (GQS). Video popularity were calculated by the Video Power Index (VPI).

Results

Based on the GQS results, we found that 59, 27, and 14 videos had low, intermediate, and high quality, respectively. In addition, based on the JAMA results, 79 and 21 videos had poor and high reliability, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the JAMA, modified DISCERN and GQS scores in terms of the sources of videos (p = 0.226, p = 0.115, p = 0.812). Notably, there was a weak positive correlation between the JAMA scores and the number of views (r = 0.204, p = 0.041).

Conclusion

According to our study results, most YouTube videos on TENS were of low quality and reliability. Additionally, most videos were uploaded from sources created by doctors; the most frequently found content was about the TENS procedure, and content on complications of the procedure became less frequent as the videos became more recent. In particular, it was found that videos uploaded by academics have longer duration. It has been found that reliable videos with high JAMA scores also have high number of views. Accordingly, it can be concluded that videos with higher quality and more reliability that are created by healthcare providers will be more useful for patients seeking information about TENS.

Quality and reliability of YouTube videos in Arabic as a source of patient information on prostate cancer

Background

Prostate cancer remains a major public health challenge in the Arab world with few population-based screening programmes, a high incidence of advanced disease at diagnosis, and limited patient access to sub-specialist care. A large number of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer use the (World Wide Web) internet to learn more about the disease and treatment options; however, material in the Arabic language is scarce. This study aims to objectively assess the quality and reliability of the information on YouTube™, which is the most globally used video platform, pertaining to prostate cancer videos published in Arabic.

Methods

A total of 100 videos were identified by searching specific keywords in Arabic (Prostate cancer, prostate cancer treatment and prostate). Retrieved videos were analysed and categorised into four groups according to content as useful, misleading, personal experience, or irrelevant. Useful videos were assessed using the global quality scale (GQS) as a validated measure of quality, which is graded on a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 representing poor quality and 5 representing excellent quality. The modified DISCERN tool was used as a measure of reliability. The tool has a potential total score of 5 points, with higher scores indicating higher reliability.

Results

Most of the speakers in these videos identified themselves as health workers (77%). Only 8% of the videos sources were hospital or medical organisations. Of the 100 retrieved videos, 86% were found to have useful content, while 14% were found to be misleading or irrelevant. The median GQS score of the useful videos was 4 (IQR: 4-5), while the median modified DISCERN tool was 4 (IQR: 3-4).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth study to objectively assess the quality and reliability of information pertaining to prostate cancer in the Arabic language on YouTube™. More efforts are needed to improve the quality of prostate cancer educational materials and videos in the Arabic language on YouTube™. Patient focus groups are planned as the next step to address the information gap for patients with prostate cancer in the Arabic language.

Evaluating YouTube as a Source of Patient Information for Blefaroplasty

This study aims to evaluate the content and quality of popular videos about blepharoplasty treatment in YouTube. Four keywords "blepharoplasty," "upper blepharoplasty," "lower blepharoplasty," and "blepharoplasty information" were searched in YouTube. After the videos were sorted by the number of views, the last 50 videos were based on general characteristics, primary purpose, information content, relevance, audiovisual quality, as well as viewer interaction index DISCERN score (minimum-maximum: 16-75), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score (minimum-maximum: 0-4), and Global Quality score (minimum-maximum: 0-5), and view rate formulas were calculated for each video. A total of the best 49 videos were evaluated in our study. The total number of views of these videos was 10,938,976. The total duration of these videos was 409minutes. The average duration of the videos was 8.35±8.38 (standard deviation [SD]). There was no significant (p>0.05) correlation between the measurement of DISCERN scores of the two observers. A significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between the JAMA score measurements of the two observers. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the GQS score measurements of the two observers. Currently, YouTube is not a viable resource for patients to learn about blepharoplasty. Physicians should be aware of the limitations and provide up-to-date and peer-reviewed content on the web site, and patients should also be warned about obtaining information.

Evaluation of the Quality and Influence of YouTube as a Source of Information on Robotic Myomectomy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of YouTube videos for helping patients become informed about robotic myomectomy.

METHODS

We searched YouTube using "robotic myomectomy" and "Da Vinci myomectomy." Videos were sorted by view count, with the 150 most highly viewed videos being selected. From each video, content type, source, view count, video length, time on YouTube, likes, and dislikes were extracted. A scoring system was used to evaluate video quality.

RESULTS

The most prevalent content was recordings of actual surgical procedures of robotic myomectomy, and the most common provider was gynecologic surgeons. Videos directly related to robotic myomectomy were mainly provided by medical groups, had been present on YouTube for a significantly longer time (p = 0.003), and had a higher rate of no responses from viewers (p = 0.014) than videos indirectly related to robotic myomectomy. Videos uploaded by nonmedical groups had more likes, more dislikes, and a higher view ratio (p = 0.029, 0.042, and 0.042, respectively). Scores reflecting video quality did not differ between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression revealed that low-quality videos (less than score 5) were significantly correlated with content indirectly related to robotic myomectomy, poor general quality, fewer views, fewer likes, and no response by viewers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who want to get informed about robotic myomectomy on YouTube should exclude low-quality videos according to such parameters as content, views, and response by viewers. In addition, medical groups should provide videos of good quality for instructing patients about this procedure.

Are YouTubeTM Videos Useful for Biostatistics Education: A sample of Logistic Regression

Objectives: To assess the quality and educational content of YouTube videos related to logistic regression. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was performed for ‘Logistic Regression” in YouTube.The first 70 videos were evaluated for each term. Videos were evaluated using Global Quality Score [GQS] checklists and were classified as useful and insufficient by two statisticians. Results: From among the 70 videos analyzed, 53 were included. The mean GQS value was 3.9+1.1. Fourty videos (75.5%) were classified as useful. Independent users tend to upload videos mostly Lecturer / PhD, Lecturer Msc. and Data science course channel. Significant difference was observed in GQS among useful and insufficient videos. The mean GQS scores of useful videos were 4.3 (s.d.:0.8), for insuffient videos were 2.5 (s.d.:0.5). Conclusion: Specialists or instructors could refer their students to YouTube resources and actively participate in the development of video-sharing platforms for biostatistics.

YouTube as an Information Resource for Persons Interested in Septoplasty and/or Turbinoplasty

Background and Objectives

YouTube is a widely used web site. In general, many people search for medical information on YouTube. We evaluated the septoplasty and turbinoplasty videos on YouTube from an expert's point of view.

Methods

We used "septoplasty," "turbinoplasty," and "septoplasty turbinoplasty" to search YouTube. Of the 150 videos, we eventually viewed 83. Two researchers assessed the sources, lengths, and numbers of likes, dislikes, and views. The videos were classified as "excellent," "moderate," or "poor" in terms of utility; we also evaluated the uploaded material and content.

Results

Of the 83 videos, 18 (21.7%) were excellent, 27 (32.5%) were moderate, and 38 (45.8%) were poor. We found no significant differences in length and mean likes, dislikes, and views between the groups classified as useful. Fifteen (39.5%) of 38 poor videos were by patients, and 13 (34.2%) of 38 poor videos were by physicians. When organized by content type, videos on personal experiences were significantly longer than the others. Of 20 videos on personal experiences, 15 (75%) were poor and all 5 advertisement videos (100%) were poor.

Conclusion

Information from YouTube on septoplasty and turbinoplasty is not yet adequate. However, since YouTube content cannot be controlled, it is necessary to upload objective and accurate videos for patients and experts in professional groups such as the medical society. Such videos should be promoted and used actively.

Evaluation of YouTube videos as sources of information about complex regional pain syndrome

Background

As the internet usage becomes easily accessible, the patients are more frequently searching about diseases and medical/non-medical treatments. Considering that complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating disease, it is important to check the information that patients are accessing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the reliability, sufficiency, and accuracy of the YouTube videos about CRPS.

Methods

This study is a descriptive research which is derived by searching videos using the keyword ‘complex regional pain syndrome’ on YouTube. Relevance-based sequencing was used to sort the videos. Sources and video parameters were documented. To evaluate the accuracy, reliability and content quality of the videos, Global Quality Score, Journal of American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria and Modified DISCERN Questionnaire scales were used.

Results

A total of 167 videos were included in this study. The majority of the videos originated from USA (80.2%, n = 134). The median number of views was 639 and the viewing rate was 73.3. Most of the videos had partially sufficient data and the interaction index viewing rate parameters for videos with high content quality were greater than videos with low content quality (P = 0.010, P = 0.014).

Conclusions

Our results showed that videos about CRPS on YouTube mostly had partially sufficient data and include intermediate-high quality contents. Moreover, high-content quality videos had higher viewing rates, interaction indexes, number of likes, longer durations, as well as better reliability and accuracy scores. Videos with high quality and reliable content are needed to reduce misinformation about CRPS.

Quality and Reliability of YouTube Videos on Uterine Fibroid Embolization

PURPOSE

To evaluate the quality of information available in YouTube videos on the treatment of uterine fibroids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DISCERN Scale Criterion was used to quantify the quality of YouTube videos on uterine fibroid embolization. The Video Power Index was used to quantify the popularity of videos on uterine fibroid embolization.

RESULTS

Among the 31 videos identified in the study, the average total DISCERN score was 48.82 ± 14.48, indicative of average to poor quality. There was no correlation between a video's popularity and its quality. Popularity, as measured by Video Power Index, was not significantly different between videos containing a board-certified physician and those that did not. Videos with a board-certified interventional radiologist had a significantly lower Video Power Index than those without a board-certified physician.

CONCLUSION

YouTube is not currently a high-quality source of information for uterine fibroid treatment options. Physicians should be aware of highly viewed material on YouTube to have informed discussions with patients about their treatment options and address misperceptions.

Evaluation of the Reliability and Quality of YouTube Videos on Ovarian Cysts

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos containing content related to ovarian cysts.

Methods

The search terms “Ovarian Cyst”, “Ovarian Cyst Symptoms”, “Ovarian Cyst Treatment”, and “Ovarian Cyst Diagnosis” were searched on YouTube. A total of 110 videos were examined and repetitive videos, non-English videos, videos with advertising content, videos with entertainment and news content, and videos with very poor image and sound quality were excluded. Finally, the videos included in the study were evaluated using DISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS).

Results

It was found that 50 videos examined in this study were uploaded between the years 2014 and 2020, with an average of 492.252 ± 710.768 and a total of 24.612.595 views. The mean DISCERN score given to 50 videos analyzed by two researchers was 2.81 ± 1.3 and the mean GQS score was 2.88 ± 1.4. When we divided the scores given to the videos by two researchers into three groups, it was determined that 27 (54%) of the 50 videos were in the misleading/poor quality group, nine (18%) were in the medium quality group, and 14 (28%) were in the useful/quality group.

Conclusion

It has been determined that the videos with "ovarian cyst" content on YouTube are generally of poor quality. Bad quality videos were uploaded by non-doctors and attracted more attention than videos uploaded by doctors.

YouTube videos as a source of information concerning Behçet's disease: a reliability and quality analysis

In this study, we aimed to investigate the reliability and quality of YouTube videos concerning Behçet disease, for the first time in the literature. The most viewed 50 YouTube videos about Behçet disease were included. Study data used in the analysis included video length, image type, video content, uploaders, time since the date of upload, the number of total views, daily views, and the numbers of like, dislike and comments. The Video Power Index was used to determine popularity of the videos. Reliability and quality of the videos were evaluated using DISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS) instruments. The examined YouTube videos were divided into two groups as uploaded by professionals (physicians, health and hospital channels, institutions and societies) and non-professionals (patients, social organizations, others). Twenty-three (46%) videos were uploaded by professionals. The mean DISCERN score was found as 3.98 ± 0.77 in the videos uploaded by healthcare professionals and 2.83 ± 0.64 in those uploaded by non-professionals (p < 0.01). The mean GQS score was found as 4.09 ± 0.72 in the videos uploaded by healthcare professionals and 3.41 ± 0.69 in those uploaded by non-professionals (p < 0.01). 46% of the videos were of low-to-moderate reliability and 56% of low-to-moderate quality. Nearly half of the YouTube videos concerning Behçet disease were uploaded by non-physician sources with poor reliability and quality. Physicians should be encouraged to upload more professional videos to help and guide patients appropriately. YouTube videos should be subjected to an objective evaluation for content quality before they can be published.