YouTube as a Source of Patient Education for Transcranial Craniosynostosis Procedures

Abstract

Introduction The internet has improved access to knowledge, with a reported 72% of internet users accessing health information online. YouTube is the most popular video-sharing website and is a frequently accessed source for health information. There are concerns, however, that patients and carers may be unable to identify and filter for trustworthy sources of information on these platforms. This study aimed to assess the quality of videos that are likely to be accessed when families search YouTube for transcranial procedures for the management of craniosynostosis. Methodology This was a cross-sectional, observational study that evaluated YouTube videos when searching for “fronto-orbital advancement” or “cranial vault remodeling.” The first 25 videos for each term were included. Videos were assessed for quality using the previously validated JAMA and DISCERN scoring tools. Results There was low interobserver variability for the scoring tools used. There was no statistically significant correlation between the video quality and any video characteristics assessed. Videos published by organizations had higher mean quality scores for both the JAMA and DISCERN tools when compared to surgeon, patient, or medical device company-produced videos. Conclusion This study showed that searching YouTube for fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling yields videos of low quality and therefore patients and carers should be discouraged from “YouTube-ing” these procedures. Platforms such as YouTube may provide an opportunity for craniofacial units to create and disseminate high-quality educational videos to complement routine perioperative education.

YouTube™ as a source of parents' information for craniosynostosis

“…Srivastav et al 30 evaluated videos on YouTube™ about feeding infants with cleft lip and palate and reported that 65.5% of included videos were classified as poor and suboptimal content. Another study showed that YouTube™ videos related to transcranial procedures for managing craniosynostosis were not sufficient for transferring high‐quality information to families 31 . In the present study, according to content scores, 34% of included videos were classified as low‐content, 60.6% were classified as moderate‐content, and only 5.3% were classified as high‐content.…”

“…27 Despite the beneficial effect of accurate information covering the decision-making process and psychological needs of Several studies evaluated YouTube™ as a source of information on craniofacial conditions for either patients or healthcare professionals. 26,29,30,31 were not sufficient for transferring high-quality information to families. 31 In the present study, according to content scores, 34% of included videos were classified as low-content, 60.6% were classified as moderate-content, and only 5.3% were classified as high-content.…”

“…26,29,30,31 were not sufficient for transferring high-quality information to families. 31 In the present study, according to content scores, 34% of included videos were classified as low-content, 60.6% were classified as moderate-content, and only 5.3% were classified as high-content.…”

“…Several studies evaluated YouTube™ as a source of information on craniofacial conditions for either patients or healthcare professionals 26,29,30,31 . Korkmaz and Buyuk 29 reported that YouTube™ was not an adequate source of information on the treatment of cleft lip and palate.…”