Assessment of the Quality and Reliability of Information on YouTube Regarding Angiography and Angioplasty

Abstract

Introduction Angiography is a method for defining the inner vessel wall and demonstrating flow through the lumen by detecting contrast injection into a blood vessel and projecting it onto a sequence of X-rays. This method is used to image the anatomical and architectural aspects of the vascular system. By employing balloon dilatation and the implantation of stents to widen the stenosed arteries, angioplasty is a form of minimally invasive endovascular treatment used to treat cardiovascular diseases and their consequences. People frequently rely on YouTube as a resource for awareness-raising and marketing activities. Animations and visual explanations can help patients understand the risks and benefits of procedures. Aims To assess the quality and reliability of the information on YouTube about angiography and angioplasty. We assessed quality using the GQS (Global Quality Scale) and reliability via the reliability score. Methodology This is an observational, cross-sectional study without the requirement of an ethics committee. It includes a questionnaire with predetermined criteria like time since upload, popularity, or type of uploader. The study assesses YouTube videos that include criteria using GQS and reliability scores. Responses recorded in Google Sheets were transferred to Microsoft Excel (Redmond, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Corp. Released 2012. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. All six authors assessed 10 YouTube videos using specific keywords. The study includes videos that meet the inclusion criteria. Videos that did not include the inclusion criteria were excluded. Results After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 57 out of 60 videos were included. Of the total videos analyzed, the majority were uploaded by various hospitals and people other than doctors and healthcare organizations. About 78.95% of the videos described the reason for angiography/plasty, followed by the anatomical area involved and the pre-procedural preparation phase. There is a significant increase in the GQS score and reliability score among the videos uploaded by doctors, hospitals, healthcare organizations, and other groups. Conclusions Verified health information should be uploaded responsibly by doctors, hospitals, healthcare organizations, or other agencies on social media like YouTube in a manner that is easy to understand, has a high GQS, and has a high reliability score, as it would make it simpler for the general population or viewers to have access to important health-related content they can rely on. Videos should advise the viewers to contact their doctors for all queries regarding the diagnosis or treatment of their health concerns.