YouTube as a source of information on mouth (oral) cancer

Online information about oral health in autism spectrum disorder: Is it good enough?

INTRODUCTION

The use of the internet has surged significantly over the years. Patients and caregivers of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might consult the internet for oral health-related information. Hence, this study aimed to assess the quality and readability of online information available in the English language regarding oral health in ASD.

METHODS

Online search using Google.com was conducted using the terms "Autism and dental care," "Autism and oral health," and "Autism and dentistry". The first 100 websites for each term were screened. Quality of information was assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for printed material (PEMAT-P) and the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. A PEMAT score higher than 70% is considered acceptable for readability and actionability. The JAMA benchmarks are authorship, attribution, disclosure, and currency. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch reading ease score and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability formula.

RESULTS

Out of the 300 screened websites, 66 were eventually included. The mean PEMAT understandability and actionability scores were 77.13%, and 42.12%, respectively. Only 12.1% of the websites displayed all four JAMA benchmarks. The mean Flesch score was 10th-12th grade level, and the mean SMOG score was 10th grade level.

CONCLUSION

While the understandability of the information was acceptable, the readability and actionability were too challenging for lay people. Health care professionals and organizations involved in patient education should place more efforts in promoting the quality of online information targeting patients with ASD.

YouTube videos on gingival grafting procedures: Content and quality analysis

BACKGROUND

Periodontal surgery for gingival defects is widely recognized by dental care professionals and researchers for its effectiveness in treating gingival recession and improving oral health outcomes. YouTube (Google LLC) is 1 of the health information sources patients and clinicians use, and assessing its content quality is crucial. The authors aimed to examine the content and quality of YouTube videos on gingival graft procedures.

METHODS

The online video streaming platform YouTube was searched using the key word gingival graft. Two independent examiners analyzed a total of 120 videos; a third examiner assessed interrater reliability. Fifty videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The assessed content topics for these YouTube videos consisted of 13 different categories, and their overall quality was evaluated using the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). Statistical analyses were performed using SAS software, Version 9.4 (SAS Institute).

RESULTS

There were 23 videos in the high-quality content groups and 27 videos in the low-quality content group. Hospitals and universities uploaded most of the included videos. The most commonly discussed topics in the included videos were the patient's condition (36 [72%]) and area of tissue graft (34 [68%]). The total VIQI score and flow had a significant impact on the overall content score (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a direct correlation between total VIQI scores and total content scores and an inverse relationship between viewing rate and total content scores.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

To ensure patients receive accurate and up-to-date information about treatment, the authors recommend guiding them toward reliable resources by means of providing direct links to trustworthy websites, creating and sharing playlists of reliable educational videos, and offering printed materials with quick-response codes linking to verified sources. These actions will help patients easily access and trust the information they need for their treatment decisions.

Analysis of the Informational Content of Turkish Videos on YouTube About Tooth Brushing

INTRODUCTION

To examine the content of Turkish videos on YouTube about tooth brushing and to evaluate their usefulness in providing information to the public.

METHODS

Two keywords were determined using the website Google Trends. For each keyword, the top 100 most watched videos were determined according to the searches made on YouTube and a total of 200 videos were examined. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 99 videos were included in the study. The URL address of each video included, the number of views, the number of likes, the number of dislikes, the duration of the video, the time elapsed since the upload date (days) and whether the videos was narrated by a dentist, commercial institution or individual user was recorded. In addition, the interaction index and viewing rates of the videos were calculated. The contents of the videos included were evaluated by a specialist dentist.

RESULTS

Based on the evaluation of the information content of the videos, 54.5% of them contained minimal information, 38.4% poor information, 5.1% good information and 2% excellent information. The two videos containing excellent information include 10 of the 12 topics evaluated and both videos are narrated by a dentist.

CONCLUSION

Turkish videos about tooth brushing on YouTube are insufficient in terms of content and accurate information. For this reason, individuals should be directed to professional sources in order to receive accurate and up-to-date information, and dentists should share videos containing sufficient content and quality information on this platform.

Content analysis of oral (mouth) cancer-related posts on Instagram

OBJECTIVE

To examine the content of Instagram posts about oral cancer and assess its usefulness in promoting oral cancer awareness and early detection practices.

METHODS

A systematic search of Instagram for posts about oral (mouth) cancer was conducted using the hashtags #oral cancer and #mouth cancer. Posts usefulness in promoting awareness and early detection was assessed using the early detection usefulness score, and caption readability was assessed using the Flesch Kincaid readability score.

RESULTS

A total of 81,000 posts were identified, and 200 posts were thoroughly evaluated. Included posts gathered a total of 48,118 (mean = 420.59 likes) and 27,898 views. Most posts (81.5%) were educational to the lay person, and India and the UK were the major contributors. The most discussed topics were prevention and early detection (55%). Representative clinical images were present in 35.5% of posts. Only 9.5% of posts mentioned the source of information, and the mean usefulness score was only 2.1 out of 10. The mean reading ease score was 56.7 ± 43.8 (range from 1 to 98 out of 100).

CONCLUSION

Instagram shows potential for promoting oral cancer awareness, particularly in prevention and early detection. However, concerns regarding content quality, scientific validity, and clarity persist.

Reliability of YouTube videos on the management of orthodontic emergencies during COVID-19 pandemic: A quantitative and qualitative analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the content of YouTube videos on the management of orthodontic emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

YouTube was systematically searched using the keywords "orthodontic emergency," "orthodontic homecare," "braces emergency," and "braces homecare." The first 100 videos for each keyword were assessed. The upload source, number of views, likes and dislikes, duration, and global quality score were extracted. Home and clinical advice reliability was evaluated using the reliability score (DISCERN) according to the COVID-19 orthodontic emergencies protocol published by the British Orthodontic Society.

RESULTS

The majority of the videos were found to be poor quality. Home care advice showed higher reliability than clinical advice. Orthodontic emergency videos uploaded by healthcare professionals had higher reliability.

CONCLUSION

Many types of orthodontic emergencies have received little attention on YouTube, and more useful and reliable educational videos should be uploaded in the event of future pandemics.

Is YouTube a sufficient source of information on Sarcoidosis?

BACKGROUND

The internet is a common source of health information for patients and caregivers. To date, content and information quality of YouTube videos on sarcoidosis has not been studied. The aim of our study was to investigate the content and quality of information on sarcoidosis provided by YouTube videos.

METHODS

Of the first 200 results under the search term "sarcoidosis," all English-language videos with content directed at patients were included. Two independent investigators assessed the content of the videos based on 25 predefined key features (content score with 0-25 points), as well as reliability and quality (HONCode score with 0-8 points, DISCERN score with 1-5 points). Misinformation contained in the videos was described qualitatively.

RESULTS

The majority of the 85 included videos were from an academic or governmental source (n = 63, 74%), and median time since upload was 33 months (IQR 10-55). Median video duration was 8 min (IQR 3-13) and had a median of 2,044 views (IQR 504 - 13,203). Quality assessment suggested partially sufficient information: mean HONCode score was 4.4 (SD 0.9) with 91% of videos having a medium quality HONCode evaluation. Mean DISCERN score was 2.3 (SD 0.5). Video content was generally poor with a mean of 10.5 points (SD 0.6). Frequently absent key features included information on the course of disease (6%), presence of substantial geographical variation (7%), and importance of screening for extrapulmonary manifestations (11%). HONCode scores were higher in videos from academic or governmental sources (p = 0.003), particularly regarding "transparency of sponsorship" (p < 0.001). DISCERN and content scores did not differ by video category.

CONCLUSIONS

Most YouTube videos present incomplete information reflected in a poor content score, especially regarding screening for extrapulmonary manifestations. Quality was partially sufficient with higher scores in videos from academic or governmental sources, but often missing references and citing specific evidence. Improving patient access to trustworthy and up to date information is needed.

Cancer misinformation on social media

Social media is widely used globally by patients, families of patients, health professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders who seek and share information related to cancer. Despite many benefits of social media for cancer care and research, there is also a substantial risk of exposure to misinformation, or inaccurate information about cancer. Types of misinformation vary from inaccurate information about cancer risk factors or unproven treatment options to conspiracy theories and public relations articles or advertisements appearing as reliable medical content. Many characteristics of social media networks-such as their extensive use and the relative ease it allows to share information quickly-facilitate the spread of misinformation. Research shows that inaccurate and misleading health-related posts on social media often get more views and engagement (e.g., likes, shares) from users compared with accurate information. Exposure to misinformation can have downstream implications for health-related attitudes and behaviors. However, combatting misinformation is a complex process that requires engagement from media platforms, scientific and health experts, governmental organizations, and the general public. Cancer experts, for example, should actively combat misinformation in real time and should disseminate evidence-based content on social media. Health professionals should give information prescriptions to patients and families and support health literacy. Patients and families should vet the quality of cancer information before acting upon it (e.g., by using publicly available checklists) and seek recommended resources from health care providers and trusted organizations. Future multidisciplinary research is needed to identify optimal ways of building resilience and combating misinformation across social media.

Is YouTube a reliable source of information for temporomandibular joint ankylosis?

PURPOSE

In the digital era, the internet is the go-to source of information, and patients often seek insights on medical conditions like TMJ ankylosis. YouTube, a popular platform, is widely used for this purpose. However, YouTube's lack of regulation means it can host unreliable content. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to assess the scientific quality of YouTube videos concerning TMJ ankylosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study analyzed 59 TMJ ankylosis-related videos. Two Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialists assessed these videos. Data on the video source, duration, upload date, the time elapsed since upload, total views, likes, dislikes and comments, Interaction index, and viewing rate were collected and analyzed. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), comparing health professionals and non-health professionals.

RESULTS

Health professional's videos were better in terms of GQS 3.21 ± 0.94 and DISCERN score 3.03 ± 0.75 as compared to the non-health professional videos GQS 3.0 ± 1.04, and DISCERN 2.81 ± 1.13. Health professional group videos had more reliability and better quality than the non-health professional group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

YouTube should not be relied on as a trustworthy source for high-quality and reliable information regarding TMJ ankylosis videos. Healthcare professionals must be prepared to address any ambiguous or misleading information and to prioritize building trustworthy relationships with patients through accurate diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

How good is ChatGPT at answering patients' questions related to early detection of oral (mouth) cancer?

OBJECTIVES

To examine the quality, reliability, readability, and usefulness of ChatGPT in promoting oral cancer early detection.

STUDY DESIGN

About 108 patient-oriented questions about oral cancer early detection were compiled from expert panels, professional societies, and web-based tools. Questions were categorized into 4 topic domains and ChatGPT 3.5 was asked each question independently. ChatGPT answers were evaluated regarding quality, readability, actionability, and usefulness using. Two experienced reviewers independently assessed each response.

RESULTS

Questions related to clinical appearance constituted 36.1% (n = 39) of the total questions. ChatGPT provided "very useful" responses to the majority of questions (75%; n = 81). The mean Global Quality Score was 4.24 ± 1.3 of 5. The mean reliability score was 23.17 ± 9.87 of 25. The mean understandability score was 76.6% ± 25.9% of 100, while the mean actionability score was 47.3% ± 18.9% of 100. The mean FKS reading ease score was 38.4% ± 29.9%, while the mean SMOG index readability score was 11.65 ± 8.4. No misleading information was identified among ChatGPT responses.

CONCLUSION

ChatGPT is an attractive and potentially useful resource for informing patients about early detection of oral cancer. Nevertheless, concerns do exist about readability and actionability of the offered information.

How much information regarding gingival enlargement can we get from TikTok and YouTube?

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the reliability and quality of the information about gingival enlargements on YouTube and TikTok.

METHODS

Two popular video sites, YouTube and TikTok, were searched for gingival enlargement and gingival hyperplasia. The reliability and quality of the first 300 videos for each search term, which is 1200 videos in total, were evaluated by social media video content evaluation tools: Global Quality Score (GQS) for quality and modified DISCERN for reliability.

RESULTS

Health professionals uploaded 68.6% of the videos on YouTube and 54.5% on TikTok. It was observed that 50% of TikTok videos and 65.9% of YouTube videos were educational. In terms of quality, 2.7% of the videos on YouTube are of excellent quality, while in TikTok there are no videos of perfect quality. TikTok videos had considerably more views, likes, viewing rates, and interaction index scores than YouTube videos (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The videos and pieces of information on YouTube are more reliable and accurate in terms of gingival enlargement when compared to TikTok. Nevertheless, it was discovered that videos on both platforms were of poor reliability and quality in general.

Evaluation of treatment information quality on hypertension and diabetes on WeChat and TikTok: A cross-sectional content analysis

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of the information in WeChat and TikTok videos related to hypertension and diabetes treatment. Methods: A sample of 120 Chinese videos was collected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality was evaluated using DISCERN, JAMA and the latest edition of Chinese guidelines for hypertension and diabetes prevention and treatment, and two observers independently scored each video using the three assessment tools. Results: Among all 120 videos, only 10 scored above 38 points in DISCERN, with 45 videos rated as "very poor". None of the video met all JAMA criteria simultaneously, and there were gaps in accuracy and completeness compared to the two guidelines. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between information quality and the number of likes and comments. Conclusion: The current quality of information on the treatment of hypertension and diabetes on WeChat and TikTok was unsatisfactory. Consequently, the government should strengthen oversight of information quality, and social media platforms should actively review health-related content to prevent inaccurate information dissemination. Individuals should enhance their digital and health literacy.

Orthodontic Elastics: A Multivariable Analysis of YouTubeTM Videos

Background/Purpose

Whether YouTube videos contain precise and adequate information on certain orthodontic procedures remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the content and quality of YouTube videos on orthodontic elastics and identify the predictors of high-level content YouTube videos.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred YouTube videos were screened for eligibility, and after applying the inclusion criteria, 133 videos were excluded. Student's t-test was used to compare the characteristics, quality parameters, and total content of the low-level and high-level content videos. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were implemented to identify the source and content element differences across low-level and high-level content videos. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between the total content score, video information and quality index (VIQI), and YouTube characteristics. Stepwise linear multiple regressions with forward selection were used to test the association of the YouTube characteristics and VIQI with the total content score.

Results

Among 67 included videos, only 19.4% of videos were classified as high-level content videos. High-level content videos had significantly higher mean number of likes (MD = 4041.7; SD = 4680.7; P-value=0.0068), VIQI score (MD = 4.17; SD = 4.87; P-value=0.0073), and total content score (MD = 4.04; SD = 1.23; P-value=<0.0001). The adjusted linear regression model demonstrated a significant association between the total content score and VIQI, where 1 unit increase in the VIQI was significantly associated with a 0.16 increase in the total content score (B = 0.16; standard error [SE]=0.04; P = 0.0003). Further, a significant association was observed between the total content score and video duration, where 1 minute increase in the video duration was significantly associated with a 0.15 increase in the total content score (B = 0.15; SE = 0.05; P = 0.008).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that YouTube content quality concerning orthodontic elastics is poor. Thus, future implementation of online visual content provided by certified orthodontists will ensure accurate and thorough information delivery.

Is it safe to learn about vital pulp capping from YouTube™ videos? A content and quality analysis

AIM

To evaluate YouTube videos on vital pulp capping (VPC) for content, quality, source, usefulness, and reliability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study assessed 249 English-language videos on vital pulp therapy using the Total Content Score (TCS), Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), Global Quality Scale (GQS), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score and modified DISCERN score. Videos were categorized based on communication quality, duration, likes and dislikes, views, source, and video type. Of the videos analyzed, 22.1% met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc Bonferroni tests. Sperman's correlation, Kendal tau tests for correlations, and Fisher's exact test were used to assess associations between categorical variables.

RESULTS

The study identified significant correlations between various parameters. A higher TCS was correlated with increased VIQI (p = 0.005) and GQS scores (r = 0.685, p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between GQS scores and TCSs (r = 0.577, p < 0.05). VIQI scores were significantly and positively correlated with TCS (r = 0.573, p < 0.05) and comment count (r = 0.306, p < 0.05). JAMA scores were positively correlated with upload time (r = 0.304, p < 0.05), comment count (r = 0.337, p < 0.05), and likes (r = 0.301, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube videos provided low-to-average quality VPC information and tended to be inaccurate. Therefore, public videos may be incorrect, incomplete, and low-quality. Clinicians and patients should seek reliable information from specialists.

Evaluation of the usefulness and quality of YouTube™ videos about children's electric toothbrushes

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of mechanical tooth cleaning, which plays a crucial role in biofilm control, depends on the type of brush and technique. Parents can refer to websites such as YouTube™ for guidance on the selection and use of electric toothbrushes. The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness, quality and accuracy of the information on YouTube™ videos about electric toothbrushes for children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was performed on YouTube™ for English language videos using the terms 'electric toothbrush for kids' and 'kids' electric toothbrush'. From the first 100 results, 64 videos were selected for further analysis. The videos were analysed for views, likes/dislikes, number of comments, upload source, duration and time since video upload. The usefulness and the quality of the selected videos were also measured.

RESULTS

The majority of the videos mentioned toothbrush design (71.9%, n = 46) and toothbrush heads (62.5%, n = 40). The videos were generally determined to be moderately useful (46.9%), whereas very useful videos were found less frequently (12.5%). Slightly useful videos were mostly uploaded by laypeople. Very useful videos had significantly higher video durations than moderately and slightly useful videos (p = 0.029 and p = 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube™ can be an important source of information for parents to learn about electric toothbrushes for their children. However, watching videos based on upload source and length of time may provide more accurate information on this topic. Also, dental healthcare professionals could be included more often to improve the usefulness and quality of the videos.

Critical appraisal of YouTube videos regarding peri-implant diseases and conditions: A cross-sectional analysis

PURPOSE

To critically appraise the quality and reliability of YouTube videos regarding peri-implant diseases and conditions as a source of information for patients, students, and young clinicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In March 2023, electronic searches were performed on YouTube website to identify videos related to peri-implant diseases and conditions. We considered only the relevant 250 English-language videos with durations between 3 and 30 min for final analyses. Following the eligibility criteria videos were evaluated for their demographic data, including number of views; number of likes, dislikes, and comments; days since upload; duration; and number of subscribers. Moreover, two assessors independently evaluated the quality and reliability of the included videos using the DISCERN and Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI) tools. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation analysis (∝ = 0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 69 videos were included for profound analyses. The average DISCERN and VIQI scores were 35.04 ± 6.3 and 14.18 ± 2.46, with 53 videos categorized as "poor" quality using the DISCERN tool. A Spearman rank correlation analysis presented a strong agreement between the DISCERN and VIQI scores (r = .753; p < .001). Nevertheless, based on different sources of upload, no statistically significant differences were reported for video demographics, interaction index, and DISCERN and VIQI scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Although YouTube videos on peri-implant diseases and conditions present accurate preliminary information, their reliability still remains uncertain. Hence, we urge respective policymakers to recognize, endorse and produce high-quality videos for accurate information dissemination.

How Informative Is YouTube Regarding Feeding in Infants with Cleft Lip and Palate?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the characteristics of popular videos on YouTube about the feeding of infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and analyze the adequacy of information provided by them.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design was used.

METHODS

YouTube was systematically searched for consecutive relevant videos about the feeding of infants with CLP, using predefined keyword combinations, without any limitations on language or duration. Scrutiny of the top 50 videos for each keyword combination was performed and a self-designed data-extraction sheet was used. A content adequacy index was developed by an expert group, and used to assess content adequacy, classifying it into categories from excellent to poor.

RESULTS

From an initial retrieval of 200 videos, 42 were included in the final assessment. The videos originated from nine different countries, with more than half coming from the USA and in English. Five of the videos came from the channel of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Content adequacy analysis showed that no video could be classified as excellent, while 33.3% were classified as optimal, 21.4% as suboptimal and 45.2% as poor.

CONCLUSIONS

The content adequacy of the majority of videos on YouTube, relating to the feeding of infants with CLP was inadequate, with only one third of them achieving optimal content adequacy. Efforts must be made to develop informative and standardized videos for social media and video-sharing platforms, perhaps through professional associations to ensure that families with an infant with CLP receive appropriate information.

Analysis of YouTube videos as a source of information about dentin hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVES

Even though tooth sensitivity is a prevalent dental issue today, more information is available to patients via social media concerning the subject. This study aimed to examine what patients may learn about tooth sensitivity from online videos on YouTube™ and evaluate the accuracy of the information given.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional investigation, two experienced periodontologists used the keyword 'tooth sensitivity' to conduct an organized search into YouTube videos containing knowledge regarding dentin hypersensitivity. Videos' type, origin, number of days since upload, duration, number of views, likes and dislikes, and comments were all noted; the viewing rate and interaction index were calculated. Videos were graded based on their content. The DISCERN and Global Quality Scales were used to rate each video's level of quality and reliability.

RESULTS

After the initial 260 videos were examined, 199 were kept for additional study. Healthcare professionals, hospitals, and colleges posted the great majority of the videos. There was a significant positive relationship between the number of views and Total Content scores of the videos, the viewing rate, comments, and likes (p < 0.05). Significant relationships were obtained between total discernment, video type, source of upload, and global quality variables, and Total Content scores (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

When looking for information on dentin hypersensitivity, patients might find watchable, reliable, and helpful videos on YouTube™.

Audiovisual information of oral epithelial dysplasia: Quality, understandability and actionability

OBJECTIVES

Online information on oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is insufficient and of low quality. While only written information has been previously assessed, this study aims to evaluate the content and quality of audiovisual (AV) online information about OED.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-seven materials were initially considered using six key words across two search engines (YouTube and Google). Ultimately, 29 materials remained for the final assessment. These materials were then analysed for content, quality (DISCERN instrument, JAMA benchmarks), understandability and actionability.

RESULTS

Most contents were scientific (n = 25), while three videos were educational, and one video was a personal experience with OED. On a scale of 1-5, the overall DISCERN score was (mean ± SD = 2.26 ± 0.79), suggesting poor quality of information. Regarding JAMA benchmarks, there was no single material that fulfilled or lacked all four benchmarks. The overall mean understandability score was 82% and the actionability mean score was significantly low at 29%.

CONCLUSION

Although the vast majority of AV materials on OED were primarily produced for scientific purposes, these materials could be helpful as resources for patient education. Keeping in mind, however, that the desired quality and essential patient information about OED available online remains largely poor and missing.

Does YouTube™ Provide Adequate Information on Oral Health During Pregnancy?

Background This study aimed to assess the reliability, quality, and content of the information provided by YouTube™ videos on oral health during pregnancy to reveal the effectiveness of the videos for patients. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted by two experienced dental specialists. They initiated the study by searching for YouTube™ videos using the keyword 'pregnancy oral health'. The videos were then assessed based on various parameters, including origin, type, number of days since upload, duration, number of views, number of likes and dislikes, and number of comments. The specialists also calculated the interaction index and viewing rate. The reliability and quality of the videos were evaluated using the global quality scale (GQS) and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) scales, while the content was assessed with the comprehensiveness tailor-made index. The data were analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk, the Kruskal-Wallis, the post-hoc Bonferroni, and Fisher's exact tests. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results After reviewing initially 224 videos, 129 were included in the study. Health professionals were the publishers of most videos. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between content scores and video duration, number of comments, interaction index, and total DISCERN scores (p<0.05) (r=0.445, r=0.186, r=0.552, r=0.241, r=0.200, r=0.681, respectively). Statistically significant associations were found between GQS scores, video duration, number of comments, and total mDISCERN scores (p<0.05) (r=0.510, r=225, r=0.156, r=0.768, respectively). Statistically significant relationships were identified between the total content score, video source, and GQS (p<0.05). According to the total content score, 57.4% of the videos had a score of 2, 35.7% had a score of 1, and only 7% had a score of 0. Conclusions This study's findings underscore the significant variability in the scientific accuracy, content, and quality of health information on the Internet, particularly on YouTube™. It reveals that, while there are videos that provide rich content and high-quality information, there are also poor-quality and inadequate videos that may mislead patients. Health professionals should be aware of misinformation found on YouTube™ and ensure that patients always have access to accurate and reliable information.

A sustainable, self-sufficient peer review algorithm for health-related YouTube videos: A proposal

YouTube has recently become one of the major sources of information in the field of health. Not only healthcare professionals but also laypersons can upload videos to YouTube and this fact creates a significant heterogeneity in the content, viewpoint, and accuracy of the available videos. Particularly, those videos presenting personal experiences and inferences on health problems may not rely on scientific evidence thus create inaccurate information. This commentary aims to propose an algorithm to improve the accuracy and reliability of health-related YouTube videos.

Content quality and reliability of YouTube videos on oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic analysis

INTRODUCTION

YouTube's popularity as a health information source raises concerns about credibility due to the absence of peer review. Therefore, this study assessed the content quality and reliability of YouTube videos related to oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Videos were systematically searched on August 20, 2023, using terms determined through Google Trends. Videos were included based on predefined criteria and independently assessed by two researchers. Video demographics were extracted. Video quality was evaluated using audio-visual (AV) quality, video information and quality index (VIQI), global quality score (GQS), and reliability using a modified DISCERN tool (mDISCERN). High and low-content videos were defined based on the customized 10-point scoring system. Inter- and intra-examiner reliability of scoring system were calculated.

RESULTS

Most videos were educational (46.3%), presented by dental sleep medicine specialists (42.6%), and aimed at laypersons (63%), with the majority originating from the United States (79.6%). The final 54 videos were categorized as high-content (n = 29, 54%) and low-content (n = 25, 46%). High-content videos had more views, comments, and longer video durations (7.07 ± 6.04 min). Significant differences (p < .05) were observed among high and low-content videos in total VIQI, mDISCERN, GQS, and TCS. Moderate correlations were found between GQS and TCS (r = 0.721), mDISCERN and VIQI (r = 0.649), GQS and VIQI (r = 0.601), and AV quality and VIQI (r = 0.531).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights variable content quality and reliability of YouTube videos on oral appliance therapy for OSA, emphasizing the need for guidelines to enhance their educational value and deliver reliable, evidence-based information to patients.

YouTube as an information source for bleeding gums: A quantitative and qualitative analysis

Gum bleeding is a common dental problem, and numerous patients seek health-related information on this topic online. The YouTube website is a popular resource for people searching for medical information. To our knowledge, no recent study has evaluated content related to bleeding gums on YouTube™. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of YouTube videos related to bleeding gums. A search was performed on YouTube using the keyword "bleeding gums" from Google Trends. Of the first 200 results, 107 videos met the inclusion criteria. The descriptive statistics for the videos included the time since upload, the video length, and the number of likes, views, comments, subscribers, and viewing rates. The global quality score (GQS), usefulness score, and DISCERN were used to evaluate the video quality. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation analysis. The majority (n = 69, 64.48%) of the videos observed were uploaded by hospitals/clinics and dentists/specialists. The highest coverage was for symptoms (95.33%). Only 14.02% of the videos were classified as "good". The average video length of the videos rated as "good" was significantly longer than the other groups (p <0.05), and the average viewing rate of the videos rated as "poor" (63,943.68%) was substantially higher than the other groups (p <0.05). YouTube videos on bleeding gums were of moderate quality, but their content was incomplete and unreliable. Incorrect and inadequate content can significantly influence patients' attitudes and medical decisions. Effort needs to be expended by dental professionals, organizations, and the YouTube platform to ensure that YouTube can serve as a reliable source of information on bleeding gums.

YouTube as a Source of Information for Food, Diet-Related Items, and Advisory Comments for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often use the Internet to seek information beyond that received from healthcare professionals. This study assessed the perceptions of YouTube presenters on the role of diet in the management of IBD.

METHODS

Videos discussing dietary aspects (food, diet-related items, and advisory comments [FODRIACs]) in the management of IBD were included. The perceptions of presenters toward each FODRIAC were labeled as positive, negative, or neutral/intermediate, and FODRIACs were classified according to their underlying role in the management of IBD (eg, symptom management, gut inflammation). Subgroup analysis was performed by type of video presenter (patients vs healthcare professionals), type of IBD (Crohn's disease vs ulcerative colitis), and reporting of scientific evidence supporting presenters' perceptions.

RESULTS

We identified 122 FODRIACs within 160 videos. Patient videos received a higher number of likes (median 85 [interquartile range, 35-156]) than healthcare professional videos (median 44 [interquartile range, 16-1440]) (P = .01). Scientific evidence was cited in 2 (3%) of 76 patient videos compared with 25 (35%) of 71 healthcare professional videos (P < .001). Positive perceptions were expressed about avocadoes, salmon, bananas, white bread, and rice, whereas negative perceptions were reported for processed, high-fat and high-sugar foods and carbonated drinks. Fewer negative perceptions were expressed in videos supported by scientific evidence than in videos that lacked evidence (scientific: 4 positive, 0 negative vs nonscientific: 7 positive, 20 negative; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified FODRIACs proposed as beneficial or detrimental in the management of IBD. The effect this information has on dietary practice as patients with IBD self-manage their condition needs further exploration.

YouTube as a source of information about rubber dam: quality and content analysis

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the content, quality and demographics of YouTube videos about rubber dam as an information source for clinicians and dental students.

Materials and Methods

"Rubber dam," "rubber dam application," "dental isolation," "rubber dam isolation," and "dental dam" were determined as keywords for the detection of YouTube videos related to rubber dam. Seventy 3 videos were evaluated and a total of 34 videos met the inclusion criteria. All selected videos were evaluated according to 8 parameters. The videos were scored 1 if the videos contained information about the selected parameter, but if the videos did not contain enough information, they were scored 0. The data were statistically analyzed with the analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05).

Results

We found that 41% of the videos have poor, 47% have moderate, and 12% have good information. There is a statistically significant difference in time between poor and good information content (p < 0.05). There is a statistically significant difference between the poor and good information in the video information and quality index 1.

Conclusions

Rubber dam-related videos available on YouTube are generally moderately informed and insufficient. YouTube is currently not sufficient as a source of information for patients and clinicians at the moment. The YouTube platform should be developed and enriched with quality information on current and dental issues.

Quality of Patient-Centered eHealth Information on Erosive Tooth Wear: Systematic Search and Evaluation of Websites and YouTube Videos

BACKGROUND

Due to the declining prevalence of dental caries, noncarious tooth defects such as erosive tooth wear have gained increased attention over the past decades. While patients more frequently search the internet for health-related information, the quality of patient-centered, web-based health information on erosive tooth wear is currently unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the quality of patient-centered, web-based health information (websites and YouTube videos) on erosive tooth wear.

METHODS

German-language websites were systematically identified through 3 electronic search engines (google.de, bing.de or yahoo.de, and duckduckgo.com) in September 2021. Eligible websites were independently assessed for (1) technical and functional aspects via the LIDA instrument, (2) readability via the Flesch reading-ease score, (3) comprehensiveness of information via a structured checklist, and (4) generic quality and risk of bias via the DISCERN instrument by 2 different reviewers. An overall quality score (ie, higher scores being favored) generated from all 4 domains was used as the primary outcome. Quality scores from each domain were separately analyzed as secondary outcomes and compared by the Friedman test. The effect of practice-specific variables on quality scores of websites from private dental offices was assessed using generalized linear modeling. Eligible YouTube videos were judged based on (1) the comprehensiveness of information, (2) viewers' interaction, and (3) viewing rate. The comprehensiveness of information was compared between websites and YouTube videos using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS

Overall, 231 eligible websites and 7 YouTube videos were identified and assessed. The median overall quality of the websites was 33.6% (IQR 29.8%-39.2%). Secondary outcome scores amounted to 64.3% (IQR 59.8%-69.0%) for technical and functional aspects, 40.0% (IQR 34.0%-49.0%) for readability, 11.5% (IQR 3.9%-26.9%) for comprehensiveness of information, and 16.7% (IQR 8.3%-23.3%) for generic quality. While the comprehensiveness of information and generic quality received low scores, technical and functional aspects as well as readability resulted in higher scores (both Padjusted<.001). Regarding practice-specific variables, websites from private dental offices outside Germany (P=.04; B=-6.64, 95% CI -12.85 to -0.42) or from dentists who are a dental society member (P=.049; B=-3.55, 95% CI -7.09 to -0.01) resulted in lower readability scores (ie, were more difficult to read), while a shorter time since dentists' examination resulted in higher readability scores (P=.01; B=0.24 per year, 95% CI 0.05-0.43). The comprehensiveness of information from YouTube videos was 34.6% (IQR 13.5%-38.5%). However, the comprehensiveness of information did not vary between websites and YouTube videos (P=.09). Additionally, viewers' interaction (1.7%, IQR 0.7%-3.4%) and viewing rates (101%, IQR 54.6%-112.6%) were low.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of German-language, patient-centered, web-based information on erosive tooth wear was limited. Especially, the comprehensiveness and trustworthiness of the available information were insufficient. Web-based information on erosive tooth wear requires improvement to inform patients comprehensively and reliably.

YouTube™ as a source of tooth avulsion information: A video analysis study

BACKGROUND/AIM

Evaluate the informative content in tooth avulsion videos intended for dentists available on YouTube™ and analyse their compliance with the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Google Trends was used to identify the most searched term for tooth avulsion. Tooth avulsion-related videos in Brazilian Portuguese intended for dentists were searched on YouTube™ with a 12-month filter. Two raters reviewed these videos to extract their features and evaluate and qualify them with two 9-point checklists based on the IADT 2020 guidelines. The emergency steps for tooth avulsion at the accident site were assessed before, during and after clinical management; each step received 1 point if present and 0 points if absent. The final score ranged from 0 to 9 points on each checklist (18 points total), and the total score was used to classify the videos as having poor, moderate or rich content. Reliability and video quality were evaluated by an adapted version of the DISCERN tool and global quality scale (GQS), respectively. The data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson chi-square test, and the Kappa statistic (p < .05).

RESULTS

Of 60 videos, 8 were included. All were uploaded by dental professionals or undergraduate students; the average duration was 11 min (range: 0.40-65 min), and the average number of views was 56.75. Half the videos (50%) had maximum completeness scores for questions about emergency dentist referral before clinical management, and more than half (75%) had maximum completeness regarding the steps required during and after treatment. Rich videos had higher GQS scores (p = .049) without significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most videos in Brazilian Portuguese were considered high-quality according to the IADT checklist, half of them presented partial absence of information regarding orientations at the accident site.

Decoding early childhood caries: an in-depth analysis of YouTube videos for effective parental education

PURPOSE

To assess the coverage of information about early childhood caries (ECC) available on YouTube videos in three different languages, regarding technical characteristics of videos and interaction metrics.

METHODS

Search strategies were developed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to make a comprehensive collection of videos from YouTube, encompassing 60 samples for each language, regarding all video types. The videos were assessed by a thematic checklist regarding 17 items on ECC. Videos were dichotomized according to the median of the thematic score and the nature of their authorship (health and non-health authors) to compare groups. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (version 25.0), applying Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test. P < 0.05 values were considered significant.

RESULTS

Among 120 videos meeting inclusion criteria, ECC aetiology and prevention information proved incomplete, with a median score of 5 (Q1-Q3 = 3-7). No correlation emerged between this score and other video characteristics. However, interaction metrics like views, likes, dislikes, and viewing rates displayed significant correlations. Health authors primarily created these videos, yet non-health author channels had more subscribers. Surprisingly, videos focused on the impact of regular sugary food and beverage consumption on ECC progression received the most attention.

CONCLUSIONS

Videos that presented information about the aetiology and prevention of ECC invariably focused on partial aspects of the disease. This highlights the need for better-quality educational videos and the importance of dental professionals in guiding patients toward reliable sources of information.

Evaluation of scientific quality of YouTube video content related to orthodontic pain management

INTRODUCTION

With the abundant use of the internet, patients undergoing or interested in orthodontic treatment try to use it to obtain information on pain during treatment. However, YouTube™ is unregulated and may potentially contain inaccurate information.

OBJECTIVES

Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the scientific quality of the videos on YouTube™ related to orthodontic pain management.

METHODS

A total of 62 videos related to orthodontic pain management were included in the study. All videos were evaluated by two experienced orthodontists. The video uploader, content, length, upload date, time since upload, number of views, comments, likes, dislikes, Interaction index, and Viewing rate of the videos were recorded and evaluated. The videos were scored using the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Audio-Visual Quality (AVQ), and divided into two groups: Doctors and Non-doctors.

RESULTS

The mean DISCERN score was 2.56 ± 0.91, the GQS score was 2.56 ± 1.06, and AVQ was 2.48 ± 0.68. A statistically significant difference was found in DISCERN score of videos uploaded by Doctors compared to Non-doctors, but no statistically significant difference was found in GQS and AVQ scores between both groups (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The videos uploaded by Doctors were better in terms of quality and reliability, as compared to Non-doctors; and the AVQ of the videos uploaded by both groups was adequate. Despite that, both groups did not serve as a good source of information. YouTube™ cannot be considered a reliable source of information in terms of quality and reliability on videos related to orthodontic pain management.

The UK public and healthcare professionals' awareness of mouth cancer

As the rate of new mouth cancer diagnoses continues to increase in the UK, awareness of risk factors and signs and symptoms remains low. This paper focuses on studies showing UK public awareness of risk factors, including alcohol, tobacco and human papillomavirus, as well as public understanding of signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. It includes a review of the effectiveness of campaigns in raising awareness of mouth cancer and examples of campaigns targeting other common cancers or risk factors that may provide useful learning ahead of upcoming mouth cancer campaigns. In addition, the awareness of the wider healthcare team and the importance of their role in identifying mouth cancer is explored. Current live campaigns in the UK are highlighted ahead of future initiatives now that the Mouth Cancer Action Charter has been launched and two new coalitions have been established.

Approaches to Research Ethics in Health Research on YouTube: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

YouTube has become a popular source of health care information, reaching an estimated 81% of adults in 2021; approximately 35% of adults in the United States have used the internet to self-diagnose a condition. Public health researchers are therefore incorporating YouTube data into their research, but guidelines for best practices around research ethics using social media data, such as YouTube, are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe approaches to research ethics for public health research implemented using YouTube data.

METHODS

We implemented a systematic review of articles found in PubMed, SocINDEX, Web of Science, and PsycINFO following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. To be eligible to be included, studies needed to be published in peer-reviewed journals in English between January 1, 2006, and October 31, 2019, and include analyses on publicly available YouTube data on health or public health topics; studies using primary data collection, such as using YouTube for study recruitment, interventions, or dissemination evaluations, were not included. We extracted data on the presence of user identifying information, institutional review board (IRB) review, and informed consent processes, as well as research topic and methodology.

RESULTS

This review includes 119 articles from 88 journals. The most common health and public health topics studied were in the categories of chronic diseases (44/119, 37%), mental health and substance use (26/119, 21.8%), and infectious diseases (20/119, 16.8%). The majority (82/119, 68.9%) of articles made no mention of ethical considerations or stated that the study did not meet the definition of human participant research (16/119, 13.4%). Of those that sought IRB review (15/119, 12.6%), 12 out of 15 (80%) were determined to not meet the definition of human participant research and were therefore exempt from IRB review, and 3 out of 15 (20%) received IRB approval. None of the 3 IRB-approved studies contained identifying information; one was explicitly told not to include identifying information by their ethics committee. Only 1 study sought informed consent from YouTube users. Of 119 articles, 33 (27.7%) contained identifying information about content creators or video commenters, one of which attempted to anonymize direct quotes by not including user information.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the variation in practice, concrete guidelines on research ethics for social media research are needed, especially around anonymizing and seeking consent when using identifying information.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020148170; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=148170.

Assessment of the reliability of YouTube™ videos about zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry

PURPOSE

To evaluate the reliability of YouTube™ videos on zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry.

METHODS

On January 4, 2022, a search was performed using the term "pediatric zirconia crown". The first 100 videos on the subject were included. Non-English videos, duplicates, and off-topic videos were excluded. For each video, an examiner recorded the number of views, likes, comments, channel followers, upload date, duration, and category rating. Two examiners assessed the reliability of the information presented in the videos using DISCERN, a brief questionnaire and scale score used to assess in a valid and reliable way the quality of information on treatment choices for health problems. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the initial 100 videos, 72 were excluded because of language, duplication, and subject matter. The 28 remaining videos had an average of 3.5 comments, 8,896.18 channel followers, 5,614.00 views, 19.14 likes, and a duration of 840.32 s. The average view rate was 7.54 per day ± 10,206.81. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of views and comments (p < 0.001), likes and comments (p < 0.001), and likes and views (p = 0.006). According to the DISCERN, none of the videos received the maximum grade to be considered very good. Two were considered good, nine fair, fourteen poor, and three very poor.

CONCLUSION

Given that the majority of YouTube™ videos currently available on zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry were deemed unreliable according to the DISCERN questionnaire, caution should be exercised when using the information presented.

YouTube Videos on Nutrition and Dental Caries: Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most common health condition worldwide, and nutrition and dental caries have a strong interconnected relationship. Foods and eating behaviors can be both harmful (eg, sugar) and healthful (eg, meal spacing) for dental caries. YouTube is a popular source for the public to access information. To date, there is no information available on the nutrition and dental caries content of easily accessible YouTube videos.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the content of YouTube videos on nutrition and dental caries.

METHODS

In total, 6 YouTube searches were conducted using keywords related to nutrition and dental caries. The first 20 videos were selected from each search. Video content was scored (17 possible points; higher scores were associated with more topics covered) by 2 individuals based on the inclusion of information regarding various foods and eating behaviors that impact dental caries risk. For each video, information on video characteristics (ie, view count, length, number of likes, number of dislikes, and video age) was captured. Videos were divided into 2 groups by view rate (views/day); differences in scores and types of nutrition messages between groups were determined using nonparametric statistics.

RESULTS

In total, 42 videos were included. Most videos were posted by or featured oral health professionals (24/42, 57%). The mean score was 4.9 (SD 3.4) out of 17 points. Videos with >30 views/day (high view rate; 20/42, 48% videos) had a trend toward a lower score (mean 4.0, SD 3.7) than videos with ≤30 views/day (low view rate; 22/42, 52%; mean 5.8, SD 3.0; P=.06), but this result was not statistically significant. Sugar was the most consistently mentioned topic in the videos (31/42, 74%). No other topics were mentioned in more than 50% of videos. Low-view rate videos were more likely to mention messaging on acidic foods and beverages (P=.04), water (P=.09), and frequency of sugar intake (P=.047) than high-view rate videos.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the analyzed videos had low scores for nutritional and dental caries content. This study provides insights into the messaging available on nutrition and dental caries for the public and guidance on how to make improvements in this area.

Reliability and Accuracy of YouTube Peri-Implantitis Videos as an Educational Source for Patients in Population-Based Prevention Strategies

Considering the need to improve patient knowledge, awareness, and compliance for peri-implantitis prevention, and patients' demand for better, quick, and convenient access to medical information, the present study primarily assessed the reliability and accuracy of YouTube videos on peri-implantitis and secondarily evaluated their educational value for the patients, and the related suitability, as part of population-based preventive strategies, to deliver valid information, potentially capable of improving patient knowledge and educational skills. This study's protocol was developed in advance, and computer history and cookies were cleared to avoid limitations based on preferred user histories. The search term "peri-implantitis" was defined using the Google Trends website, and videos were searched on YouTube on 5 December 2022. Video inclusion and data collection were conducted by independent pre-calibrated investigators. Descriptive statistics were performed on the videos' characteristics, source, category, target audience, popularity, source reliability, video information and quality (VIQI), content, and educational value. Pearson's correlation between educational value and all parameters was calculated. Videos with very low/low and medium/good/excellent educational value were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A total of 44 videos with medium values for popularity, VIQI, content, and educational value were analyzed. Most videos covered peri-implantitis treatment rather than etiology and prevention, about half were uploaded by dentists/specialists, and only 10% specifically targeted patients. Only 2% of YouTube videos about peri-implantitis had excellent educational value, and 5% had good educational value. Video educational value was correlated with VIQI and content beyond video length and source reliability. When comparing the very low/low and medium/good/excellent educational value YouTube videos on peri-implantitis, a significant difference was found in the Video Information and Quality Index, VIQI, and video content.

The Benefit of YouTube Videos as a Source of Information on Tinnitus for Patients

Introduction  Tinnitus is one of the most common otological complaints encountered. Patients often use the internet, especially YouTube videos, as a source of information regarding their health condition. There is a need to analyze the standard and quality of information in these videos so that the patients receive correct information. Objective  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and utility of YouTube videos on tinnitus. Methods  The first 100 videos on YouTube using the search terms tinnitus and ringing in the ear were identified. Three subject experts assessed the reliability using the modified five-point DISCERN score and utility using a usefulness score. Various indices like view ratio, like ratio, video power index, and interaction index were also calculated. Results  Out of the 100 videos selected, 34 were excluded; collectively the remaining 66 videos were viewed 12,797,730 times. The most common upload sources were hospital/physician (39%), paramedic health care providers (19%), and alternative medicine (19%). The discern score was the highest in hospital/physician group (mean 19.3) and lowest in patient experience group (mean 13.4). A negative correlation was observed between the number of views (correlation coefficient -0.214), number of likes (correlation coefficient -0.242), number of comments (correlation coefficient -0.242), and the usefulness score. Conclusion  Although there are multiple videos on YouTube regarding tinnitus, the overall educational content and reliability of the videos are poor. Video popularity is not associated with usefulness. Healthcare providers should counsel patients regarding videos on YouTube and try to create more comprehensive videos.

Radionuclide Therapy Videos on YouTube as An Educational Material: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Quality, Usefulness, and Interaction Features

Introduction

Current treatment approach aims to achieve greater efficacy with fewer side effects, by targeted cancer therapy as much as possible. Radionuclide therapy is a modality that uses cancer theranostics and is increasingly applied for various cancers as a targeted therapy. YouTube is a preferred tool for obtaining medical information from the internet. This study aims to determine the content quality, level of interaction and usefulness as education material of radionuclide therapy YouTube videos and to reveal the impact of the COVID-19 process on these parameters.

Materials and Methods

The keywords were searched on YouTube on August 25, 2018, and May 10, 2021. After removing duplicate and excluded videos, all remaining videos were scored and coded.

Results

Majority of the videos were useful educational material. Most of them were high quality. Popularity markers were unrelated to quality level. After COVID, the power index of videos with high JAMA scores increased. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a negative effect on video features; the quality of the content increased even more after the pandemic.

Conclusion

Radionuclide therapy YouTube videos have high-quality content and provide useful education material. The popularity is independent of the content quality. During the pandemic, video quality and usefulness characteristics did not change, while the visibility is increased. We consider YouTube to be an appropriate educational material for patients and healthcare professionals to gain basic knowledge of radionuclide therapy. The Covıd-19 pandemic highlighted the power of radionuclide therapy YouTube videos as an educational material.

Does YouTube™ give us accurate information about bruxism?

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of the information provided by the most watched videos about bruxism on YouTube™. Material and Method: The results of YouTube™search were examined using the keyword “bruxism”. The searching limited to the first 130 videos. DISCERN and the video information and quality index (VIQI) and the criteria were used for evaluating the videos. Also, the interaction index and the viewing rate of the videos were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test, Pearson's Chi-Square Test, Spearman's rho correlation were used for statistical analyses. Significance level was taken as p

Does the content quality of YouTube videos about aligners differ from the perspectives of dentists and orthodontists?

Objectives:

This study aimed to content quality analysis of YouTube videos about aligners in orthodontics by a dentist and by an orthodontist.

Material and Methods:

Considering the Google Trends analysis, the “aligner,” as the most searched keyword about aligners in orthodontics, was chosen for YouTube searching. A total of 39 included videos were watched for one time by a dentist and orthodontist. Time since upload, video duration, number of views, number of likes, number of dislikes, and number of comments were recorded. Moreover, the interaction index and viewing rate were calculated and the reliability score, video content quality (VCQ), video interaction and quality index (VIQI), and global quality scales (GQS) were recorded by both viewers. Interobserver agreement levels were interpreted with the Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) and data were evaluated at P < 0.05 as the statistically significant level.

Results:

The results showed that most of the included videos (48.71%) were uploaded by dental companies. However, the averages of VCQ in terms of uploaders were similar for both viewers. The agreement level in all videos between orthodontist and dentist was “good” level at VIQI (CCC = 0.965) and GQS (CCC = 0.943), whereas it was “very poor” level on VCQ (CCC = 0.653).

Conclusion:

The findings revealed that YouTube video contents about aligners provide moderate information and VCQ, independently from viewers, is similar among uploaders. The agreement levels between dentist and orthodontist on the evaluation of audiovisual quality of the videos were good, whereas this level was poor on the evaluation of information quality of videos.

Orthodontic treatment with miniscrew anchorage: Analysis of quality of information on YouTube

INTRODUCTION

The evaluation of the quality of information (QOI) and clarity of information (COI) among oral health-related videos on the video-streaming Web site YouTube is scarce. This study evaluated QOI and COI regarding temporary anchorage devices contained within videos uploaded by dental professionals (DPs) on YouTube.

METHODS

YouTube videos were systematically acquired with 4 search terms. The top 50 videos per search term by the number of views were stored in a YouTube account. A set of inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, videos were assessed for viewing characteristics, a 4-point scoring system (0-3) was applied to evaluate QOI in 10 predetermined domains, and a 3-point scoring system (0-2) was applied to evaluate COI. Descriptive statistical analyses and intrarater and interrater reliability tests were performed.

RESULTS

Strong intrarater and interrater reliability scores were observed. Sixty-three videos from the top 58 most-viewed DPs were viewed 1,395,471 times (range, 414-124,939). Most DPs originated from the United States (20%), and orthodontists (62%) uploaded most of the videos. The mean number of reported domains was 2.03 ± 2.40 (out of 10). The mean overall QOI score per domain was 0.36 ± 0.79 (out of 3). The "Placement of miniscrews" domain scored highest (1.23 ± 0.75). The "Cost of miniscrews placement" domain scored the lowest (0.03 ± 0.25). The mean overall QOI score per DP was 3.59 ± 5.64 (out of 30). The COI in 32 videos was immeasurable, and only 2 avoided using technical words.

CONCLUSIONS

The QOI related to temporary anchorage devices contained within videos provided by DPs through the YouTube Web site is deficient, particularly in the cost of placement. Orthodontists should be aware of the importance of YouTube as an information resource and ensure that videos related to temporary anchorage devices contain comprehensive and evidence-based information.

YouTube videos related to diabetic retinopathy: Are they good enough?

BACKGROUND

YouTube has remained the most commonly used online platform and is increasingly used for health education. Although videos related to diabetic retinopathy on YouTube are abundant, there is still a paucity of research regarding the detailed analysis of their quality and content.

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the content, sources, and overall usefulness of information published on the YouTube platform regarding diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

The YouTube website was systematically searched using the keyword "diabetic retinopathy" between August 14 and September 29, 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 465 videos related to DR were included in our analysis. Of these videos, 215 (46.4%) videos were released from the United States. The highest number of videos were uploaded by medical websites (32.9%), followed by hospitals/medical centers (23%). Educational videos on DR including basic information, complications, treatment, staging and retinal photographs were the most frequent category. Videos containing basic information, complications and videos with animation on DR received the highest numbers of views (2,768,062, 2,361,999, and 1,946,586, respectively). Videos uploaded by hospitals/medical centers received a high mean number of views, likes, and dislikes. Overall, 72.5% of videos on DR published on YouTube were considered largely useful.

CONCLUSIONS

Videos published by medical websites, hospitals/medical centers and those pertaining to basic information, complications, and animation on DR were the most attractive. Hence, these types of videos can be targeted to increase awareness about DR.

Assessment of the content and quality of YouTube videos related zygomatic implants: A content-quality analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of YouTube videos of zygomatic implants.

METHODS

According to Google Trends (2021), "zygomatic implant" was the most preferred keyword related to the topic. Therefore, in this study "zygomatic implant" was used as a keyword for the video search. Demographic characteristics such as the number of views, likes/dislikes, comments, video duration, number of days after upload, uploaders, and target audiences of the videos were evaluated. To evaluate the accuracy and content quality of videos (available from YouTube), the video information and quality index (VIQI) and global quality scale (GQS) were used. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact chi-square test, Yates continuity correction, and Spearman correlation analysis (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 151 videos were searched; 90 met all inclusion criteria. According to the video content score, 78.9% of the videos were identified as low content, 20% as moderate, and 1.1% as high content. There was no statistical difference between the groups in video demographic characteristics (p > 0.001). Conversely, information flow, accuracy of information, video quality and precision, and total VIQI scores were statistically different between the groups. The moderate-content group had a higher GQS score than the low-content group (p < 0.001). The videos were mainly uploaded (40%) from hospitals and universities. Most videos were targeted toward professionals (46.75%). Low-content videos had higher ratings than the moderate- and high-content videos.

CONCLUSIONS

Most YouTube videos on zygomatic implants showed low-content quality. This implies that YouTube is not a reliable source of information on zygomatic implants. Dentists, prosthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of the content of video-sharing platforms and take responsibility for enriching video content.

What do TikTok videos offer us about dental implants treatment?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality, source, popularity, visibility and reliability of Tiktok videos on dental implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Tiktok search for dental implants was performed English language setting. Search hashtags were determined as "#dentalimplants," "#dentalimplantsurgery," "#dentalimplantstreatment," and "#implantdentistry." 148 of the 300 videos watched were included the study. Two periodontologists scored the videos for quality, reliability, utility, visibility and popularity. Videos' quality was evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the DISCERN tools, by categorizing them through quality of communication, duration, likes and dislikes, views, source and video type of each video were recorded.

RESULTS

There was significant positive correlation between "GQS" and "Total DISCERN" (Rho: 0.636) and "Duration in seconds" (Rho: 0.343) (p<0.05). For Total DISCERN, averages of the 31-45 seconds (p=0.010) and 46 seconds and above (p=.018) groups were higher than the averages of the 0-15 seconds group and average of the Educational group was higher than the average of the Testimonial, Product Advertisement and Entertainment groups (p=0.001, p=0.033 and p=0.041). Healthcare professionals mostly upload GQS 2 score videos and Hospital/Universities mostly upload GQS 2 and 3 score videos (p<0.05). Testimonial videos mostly receive GQS2 score videos and the 'Videos rich in supplementary visuals' quality also receives the most GQS4 score videos (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate that TikTok videos provide low to moderate quality information about dental implants and that TikTok may not provide reliable information about dental implants.

Evaluating YouTube as a Patient Information Source for the Risks of Root Canal Treatment

INTRODUCTION

YouTube is one of the most used social media platforms for health care information. Misinformation and poor educational content on this platform can exacerbate public anxiety and fear of root canal treatment. This study aimed to investigate the quality of videos examining risks of root canal treatment on YouTube.

METHODS

YouTube was searched using a combination of keywords relating to endodontic complications to replicate goal-orientated browsing. Video quality was assessed using a modified DISCERN score and global quality score by 2 authors independently. Manifest quantitative content analysis was used to capture information about the video and extent of interactions. The 10 most viewed videos were further analyzed in terms of the messaging and format of the videos.

RESULTS

The mean overall quality of the videos was relatively low (2.20). Videos produced by regulatory bodies had the highest mean score (3.00) and the shortest mean length (2 minutes 23 seconds) but had the fewest views and interactions. The poorest quality videos (mean 1.5) were produced by nonclinicians and news/media, which tended to be longer (mean 8 minutes 49 seconds) and received more engagement. Across all videos, information related to patient decision making tended to be poorly presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The dental community, particularly institutions and organizations, need to strategically create engaging videos to redress patients' concerns about root canal treatment. This can counterbalance the existing misleading information and improve access to evidence-based content, which will ultimately affect patient decision making.

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.

Are YouTube Videos a Useful and Reliable Source of Information for Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?

Counseling is considered a first-line conservative therapy with respect to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). Nowadays, 50 to 80% of patients acquire health information from the internet before turning to professionals. The purpose of this study has been to investigate the quality of information about TMJD that patients can obtain from YouTube. A YouTube.com search was conducted using the terms "temporomandibular joint disorder"; "limited movement of the mandible"; and "mandibular joint pain". The videos identified were assessed independently by two panels of three professional and lay reviewers with HONcode, modified DISCERN (MD) and the global quality scale (GQS). A total of 106 videos were included. The professional reviewers reported a mean HONcode score of 4.148 ± 1.314 and a mean MD score of 2.519 ± 1.267, testifying to a modest general quality of the videos. The mean GQS score was 2.987 ± 1.012 for the professional and 3.469 ± 0.891 for the lay reviewers (p < 0.001). The correlations between the ratings were significant between the reviewers within the same group but not between the two groups. The presence of animations significantly influenced the GQS score expressed by the lay reviewers (p = 0.011) but not that of the professionals (p = 0.640). The quality of the information on TMJD on YouTube is generally of poor quality. Healthcare systems and professionals should be prepared to correct misinformation and build trusting relationships with patients which are based on quality counseling. Similarly, academic institutions should produce quality content that leads patients with TMJD toward a correct diagnostic-therapeutic process.

Social media in health communication: A literature review of information quality

BACKGROUND

Social media is used in health communication by individuals, health professionals, disease centres and other health regulatory bodies. However, varying degrees of information quality are churned out daily on social media. This review is concerned with the quality of Social Media Health Information (SMHI).

OBJECTIVE

The review sought to understand how SMHI quality issues have been framed and addressed in the literature. Health topics, users and social media platforms that have raised health information quality concerns are reviewed. The review also looked at the suitability of existing criteria and instruments used in evaluating SMHI and identified gaps for future research.

METHOD

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the forward chaining strategy were used in the document search. Data were sourced according to inclusion criteria from five academic databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and MEDLINE.

RESULTS

A total of 93 articles published between 2000 and 2019 were used in the review. The review revealed a worrying trend of health content and communication on social media, especially of cancer, dental care and diabetes information on YouTube. The review further discovered that the Journal of the American Medical Association, the DISCERN and the Health on the Net Foundation, which were designed before the advent of social media, continue to be used as quality evaluation instruments for SMHI, even though technical and user characteristics of social media differ from traditional portals such as websites.

CONCLUSION

The study synthesises varied opinions on SMHI quality in the literature and recommends that future research proposes quality evaluation criteria and instruments specifically for SMHI.

Is Online Video a Suitable Source to Obtain Sufficient and Useful Information About Peri-Implantitis?

PURPOSE

Recently, with the increase in cases of peri-implantitis, the amount of data patients can receive via social media about the condition has increased. The study presented here aims to examine what online videos (YouTubeTM, Google LLC, San Bruno, California) offer patients about peri-implantitis and to evaluate the quality of the information presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a systematic search was conducted into online videos containing information about peri-implantitis using the keyword "peri-implantitis" by an experienced periodontologist. The source of videos, video type, duration, number of days since upload, number of views, comments, likes, dislikes, and interaction index of each video were recorded. Videos were scored according to content; Score 0 (low content): videos with no description of clinical presentations, risk factors, or management options; Score 1 (moderate content): videos that described 1 clinical presentation and 1 etiologic factor and did not describe management options; Score 2 (high content): videos with the description of at least 2 clinical presentations, 2 etiologic factors, and 1 management option. The quality of each video was evaluated using the Global Quality Scale and DISCERN. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's test, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Intraobserver agreement was calculated as the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The first 200 videos were screened and, after exclusions, 103 videos were included for further analysis. United States-based videos were the majority (14 videos), 46.6% of the videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals, and 99% were in the educational videos category. Video content score 2 videos have higher mean values with 4,871.945 views, 6.002 comments, 50.729 likes, 7.751 viewing rate, and 0.023 interaction index than score 0 videos (P < .05). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between the video content score, Global Quality Scale, DISCERN, and the data showing the popularity and visibility of the videos (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, half of the top-ranked online videos are valuable sources of information about peri-implantitis. Videos with high content are more popular and are of greater quality than videos with low content.

How reliable are YouTube videos on laser-assisted surgical treatment of the gummy smile?

Objectives:

Patients frequently use social media platforms to obtain information on dental treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the content prepared for patients seeking information on laser-assisted surgical treatment of the gummy smile on the YouTube platform.

Material and Methods:

Videos were searched on YouTube using the keyword “fix gummy smile” in Google Trends. Considering the exclusion criteria, 30 out of 119 videos were selected for the study. Videos were analyzed in terms of general characteristics, video uploader, video content quality (VCQ), video information and quality index (VIQI), and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Statistical significance was established at P < 0.05.

Results:

The average VCQ of the videos was 3.07 ± 1.39 out of a maximum of 30. Most videos (46.7%) were uploaded by dentists and 23.3% by healthcare institutions. Considering the video uploader, no significant difference was found in VCQ, VIQI, and GQS (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation among the interaction index, the number of likes, and the reliability score (P < 0.05). Moreover, reliability score showed a positively directed association with GQS, total VIQI score, and total VCQ score (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Clinicians who upload content to YouTube should consider the importance and potential of YouTube to provide information to communities and create videos with more intellectual content to facilitate access to accurate information, especially related to health.

Assessment of reliability and information quality of YouTube videos about root canal treatment after 2016

Background

This study aimed to assess and update the content, reliability, and information quality of content related to root canal treatment (RCTx) on YouTube and evaluate the correlation between each evaluation index.

Methods

YouTube was searched using two terms related to RCTx (“root canal and endodontic treatment”). A total of 240 videos (120 for each search term) were screened. Exclusion criteria were as follows: no sound or visuals, non-English, irrelevant to the search term, longer than 15 min, duplicate, or old (uploaded before 2016). After exclusion, 50 videos of “root canal treatment” and 45 videos of “endodontic treatment” were analyzed. Video length, total number of views, likes, dislikes, comments, and days since upload were recorded using descriptive video data. Viewers’ interaction, reliability and information quality of the video, and quality of video content were measured using nondescriptive video data. The interaction index and video power index were used for viewer interactions, and the modified DISCERN index, JAMA criteria, and Global Quality Score were used to assess the reliability and information quality of the video. The quality of the video content was measured using the completeness score.

Results

The videos of the “root canal treatment” group had a significantly higher completeness score for the etiology and symptoms (p < 0.05), and videos of the “endodontic treatment” group showed a higher interaction index, completeness score for the procedure (p < 0.05). Videos for dentists had significantly higher completeness scores for the procedure, while videos for laypersons had higher completeness scores for etiology, anatomy, symptoms, and prognosis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the total completeness score and the interaction index of the videos for laypersons were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The videos uploaded by the university had a significantly higher modified DISCERN index (p = 0.044), and the JAMA score was significantly higher in the commercial group (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Although the accuracy of videos related to RCTx was higher in videos by universities and professionals, the total completeness of YouTube videos was low regardless of the video source. Therefore, professionals should be responsible for providing more accurate and reliable videos.

Is the YouTube™ a useful resource of information about orthognathic surgery?: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

YouTube™ has become a widely used resource of information about health-related topics nowadays. This cross-sectional study has aimed to analyze the content and quality of YouTube™ videos on orthognathic surgery.

METHODS

In our study, six orthognathic surgery-related keywords (Le Fort I osteotomy, sagittal split osteotomy, jaw surgery, jaw correction surgery, orthodontic surgery, and orthognathic surgery) were used to search on YouTube™. Only the videos in English, which had visually and audibly acceptable quality and were mainly about orthognathic surgery, were chosen from the videos. A total of 360 videos were selected, the top 60 videos for each search term, and sorted according to view count. Of these videos, the first 60 videos were analyzed. Video source (independent or educational), duration, number of views, likes, and dislikes were recorded for each video. Moreover, two impartial observers evaluated the visibility, popularity, quality, usefulness, and reliability of the videos.

RESULTS

41 of 60 videos were of independent sources while 19 of them were of educational origin. Information content of the videos was found to be insufficient. No significant difference was determined between independent and educational videos in terms of popularity, visibility, usefulness and quality analysis of the videos (p > 0.05), but a significant difference was found in terms of reliability values (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It can be said that YouTube™ videos were not a reliable and accurate enough source of information when evaluated in terms of orthognathic surgery-related content and quality. Therefore, the information content provided by specialists and health institutions, in particular, should be increased in number, thereby making access to better quality information on orthognathic surgery easy for patients.