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Canbolat O, Dogan Aktas AB, Sipal G, Nurdan K. Evaluation of the quality and content of YouTube videos as an educational resource in developing patients' inhaler use skills. J Asthma 2024; 61:1006-1014. [PMID: 38359086 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2319846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND YouTube has educational videos on inhalers. However, their content and quality are not adequately known. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the quality and content of educational YouTube videos on inhalers. METHODS This descriptive study analyzed 178 YouTube videos on inhalers between May and July 2022. Two researchers independently evaluated the videos. The Global Quality Score (GQS), Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria, and Inhaler Application Checklist (IAC) were used to assess the quality and content of the videos. Spearman's correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, and Post hoc analysis Bonferroni test were used for data analysis. RESULTS The videos had a mean GQS score of 3.70 ± 1.24, and JAMA score of 2.22 ± 0.60. A negative correlation was between the quality score of the videos and views, likes, comments, duration, and likes/views (respectively; r = -0.237 p < 0.005, r = -0.217 p < 0.003, r = -0.220 p < 0.005, r = -0.147, p < 0.005). The videos narrated by nurses and doctors had significantly higher mean JAMA and GQS scores than others (p = 0.001). The videos missed some procedural steps [gargling (29.1%), adding no more than five ml of medication and device cleaning (41.9%), and exhaling through the nose (37.5%)]. Videos uploaded by individual missed significantly more procedural steps than professional organizations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS YouTube videos about inhaler techniques have a moderate level of quality. Videos uploaded by doctors and nurses as content narrators were of higher quality. The videos missed some procedural steps. Individual video uploaders had higher missed procedural steps. Counseling should be provided to patients regarding the reliability of online information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gulhayat Sipal
- Faculty of Medicine, Cebeci Research and Application Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kokturk Nurdan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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2
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Uzundal H, Soydaş T, Ünal S, Uzundal DE. Quality and reliability analysis of videos about ThuLEP on Youtube. Urology 2024:S0090-4295(24)00563-6. [PMID: 39002845 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the reliability and quality analyses of ThuLEP videos on YouTube, as a source of public information. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a YouTube search with the keyword "ThuLEP" was performed on November 15, 2022 and 142 videos were listed according to relevance. Video features and source of upload were recorded. The quality of videos was evaluated by using both the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) score and the Global Quality Score(GQS); the reliability of videos was evaluated by using 5-point modified DISCERN tool,respectively. The correlation analysis was performed by using Spearman test between video features and these three scores. RESULTS 77 videos were analysed after exclusion and the most common source of upload were urologists (54.5%) and the videos containing only ThuLEP surgery (74%) were the majority of the videos. The median JAMA score, 5-point modified DISCERN score, and GQS were 2, 1, 1, respectively. There were no statistical differences in these three scores according to the source of the upload. All three scores were analysed separately by language and no significant statistical difference was found.There was a positive correlation between the video power index and as well as JAMA, GQS and m. DISCERN scores. CONCLUSIONS Despite abundant videos on ThuLEP on YouTube, most of these videos are not targeted to public and information provided may not be as useful for patients. Information presented in these videos may be inaccurate and not reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halil Uzundal
- Department of Urology, Ministry of Health Mamak State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Türker Soydaş
- Department of Urology, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selman Ünal
- Department of Urology, Ministry of Health Ürgüp State Hospital, Nevşehir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Ercan Uzundal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Yılmaz İE, Mercanlı M, Doğan L. Pitfalls of social media for aesthetic eye surgery patients: assessing YouTube's aesthetic canthoplasty content. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:279. [PMID: 38918201 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE YouTube, a popular source for diverse information, hosts a wealth of content on aesthetic canthoplasty. Yet, concerns linger about the accuracy and reliability of these videos, with potential for inaccuracies, biases, or misleading information. This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of YouTube content on this sought-after facial enhancement procedure. METHODS The study employs four distinct scoring tools: the Global Quality Score (GQS), the Medical Quality Video Evaluation Tool (MQ-VET), the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-A/V), and the Video Power Index (VPI). RESULTS Analysis of a total of 173 YouTube videos relevant to aesthetic canthoplasty revealed scores that were primarily indicative of poor quality and reliability.(Mean score ± SD, PEMAT A/V: 30.75 ± 28.8, MQ-VET: 28.57 ± 12.6, GQS: 1.7 ± 1) Notably, these videos were predominantly uploaded by healthcare professionals (82.1%), and they focused more on advertisements (46.2%) than on scientific or educational information. Their elevated viewership and engagement metrics (likes, comments, and shares) attest to their significant popularity and influence. (Mean VPI score: 176.6 ± 635.8). CONCLUSION YouTube's influence on aesthetic eyelid surgery is undeniable, shaping patient choices and expectations. However, unrealistic beauty ideals, heightened body dissatisfaction, and social comparisons lurk within its content, potentially harming psychological well-being and surgical decisions. Prioritizing qualified medical guidance and critical evaluation of online information are crucial for patients. Authors and platforms must act responsibly: authors by producing high-quality content, platforms by tackling misinformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Murat Mercanlı
- Ophthalmology Department, Dünyagöz Private Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Levent Doğan
- Ophthalmology Department, Nigde Ömer Halisdemir University School of Medicine, Nigde, Turkey
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Wang JY, Patel P, Bitterman D, Jagdeo J. An Analysis of Dermatology-Related Red-Light Therapy Patient Questions on Reddit. Dermatol Surg 2024; 50:553-557. [PMID: 38460195 DOI: 10.1097/dss.0000000000004156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reddit is one of the world's most popular social media platforms and is increasingly used as a health information resource for patients on topics such as red-light (RL) therapy. OBJECTIVE In this article, the authors present an analysis of prevalent patient questions and concerns regarding RL therapy. METHODS All posts on the "Hot" page of the r/redlighttherapy subreddit were analyzed and categorized. RESULTS A total of 930 questions from 664 posts were analyzed. The most commonly asked question category was related to product recommendations or feedback (29.7%), followed by usage instructions (15.3%), safety and side effects (12.6%), and indications and efficacy (12.3%). CONCLUSION Understanding patient concerns and questions about RL, as expressed on online platforms like Reddit, can help clinicians improve patient satisfaction, education, and clinical outcomes. The study offers an innovative approach by using social media to uncover valuable patient insights that might not be easily observable within clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Y Wang
- Department of Dermatology, State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
- Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Paras Patel
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey
- Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York
| | - David Bitterman
- Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Jared Jagdeo
- Department of Dermatology, State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
- Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, New York
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Rajalingam K, Johansen PM, Levin NJ, Qi J, Marques O. Natural language processing of online support group postings reveals patients' perspectives on strategies for managing psoriasis. Dermatol Reports 2024; 16:9824. [PMID: 38585497 PMCID: PMC10993655 DOI: 10.4081/dr.2023.9824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder, and patients encounter high physical and psychosocial burdens. Social media forums feature extensive patient-generated comments. We hypothesized that analyzing patient-posted comments using natural language processing would provide insights into patient engagements, sentiments, concerns, and support, which are vital for the holistic management of psoriasis. We collected 32,000 active user comments posted on Reddit. We applied Latent Dirichlet Allocation to categorize posts into popular topics and employed spectral clustering to establish cohesive themes and word representation frequency within these topics. We sorted posts into 29 significant topics of discussion and categorized them into four categories: management (37.48%), emotion (21.57%), presentation (19.79%), and others (3.57%). The frequent posts on management were diet (7.23%), biologics (6.95%), and adverse effects (3.88%). The emotion category comprised negative sentiments (11.02%), encouragement (5.49%), and gratitude (5.06%). The presentation topic included a discussion of scalp (5.69%), flare-timing (3.63%), and arthritis (2.64%). Others comprised differential diagnosis (5.01%), leaky gut (4.12%), and referrals (3.70%). This study identified patients' experiences and perspectives associated with psoriasis, which should be considered to tailor support systems to improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Rajalingam
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Phillip M. Johansen
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Nicole J. Levin
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Jerry Qi
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Oge Marques
- Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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Zhang DG, Sørensen JA, Pedersen NH, Ali Z, Kocatürk E, Maurer M, Thomsen SF. Online Depiction of Urticaria Is Often Flawed and Does Not Reflect the Spectrum of Clinical Manifestation. Dermatology 2023; 240:507-513. [PMID: 38142684 DOI: 10.1159/000535932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The internet is a popular source of health information including images of disease manifestations. Online photographs of skin lesions may aid patients in identifying their disease, if these pictures are of good quality and of the disease they claim to show. If not, patients may be at risk of delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and suboptimal treatment. For urticaria, the mismatch rate and quality of online pictures are unknown. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the content and quality of online images of urticaria. METHODS The search term "urticaria" was applied to Google Images and Shutterstock. The top 100 photographs from each search engine were retrieved on October 9th, 2022. Illustrations, drawings, and heavily edited photographs were excluded. Each image was evaluated for patient characteristics, characteristics of urticarial lesions, and image quality. RESULTS Across 194 unique images of urticaria (after removing duplicates), 35 (18.0%) did not depict urticarial lesions, and 38 (19.6%) were ambiguous. Less than two-thirds of images 121 (62.4%) showed bona fide urticarial lesions. Pictures of urticarial lesions under-represented children and did not reflect female preponderance of the disease. Images predominantly depicted urticaria lesions on Caucasian skin (59.8%) and were typical of spontaneous rather than inducible urticaria. Only 3 (1.5%) pictures showed angioedema, a common clinical sign in patients with urticaria. The overall quality of online urticaria pictures was mostly good or very good. CONCLUSION Physicians and patients should be aware that one in five online pictures of urticaria does not show urticarial skin lesions, and children, females, non-Caucasian patients, inducible urticaria, and angioedema are under-represented. These findings should prompt efforts to improve the accuracy and representativeness of online urticaria pictures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zarqa Ali
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark,
| | - Emek Kocatürk
- Urticaria Center of Reference and Excellence (UCARE), Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Marcus Maurer
- Urticaria Center of Reference and Excellence (UCARE), Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Francis Thomsen
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Barahona-Correa JE, Rueda-Ortiz C, Muñoz O, García ÁA, Fernández-Ávila DG. YouTube® as a source of information for Spanish-speaking patients with rheumatoid arthritis. REUMATOLOGIA CLINICA 2023; 19:571-578. [PMID: 38056982 DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social media (SoMe) has reshaped access to health information, which may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although an evaluation of the characteristics of contents for Spanish-speaking patients is lacking. We aimed to assess patient engagement, reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of data uploaded to YouTube® for Spanish-speaking patients. METHODS We evaluated the videos uploaded to YouTube® in Spanish about RA. Information about video length, engagement (i.e., views, likes, popularity index), time online, and the source was retrieved; we appraised reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness (content score), and quality (Global Quality Score) using standardized scores. RESULTS We included 200 videos in the study and classified 67% of the videos as useful. These videos had a higher number of views (19,491 [10,132-61,162] vs. 11,208 [8183-20,538]), a longer time online (1156 [719-2254] vs. 832 [487-1708] days), and a shorter duration (6.3 [3.4-15.8] vs. 11.8 [7.4-20.3] min). Engagement parameters were similar between useful and misleading videos. Useful videos had higher reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality scores. Useful videos were mainly uploaded by independent users and government/news agencies; academic organizations offered only 15% of useful videos. CONCLUSIONS Most of the information in YouTube® for Spanish-speaking patients with RA is useful; however, patient engagement is similar between useful and misleading content. More substantial involvement of academia in developing high-quality educational multimedia is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián E Barahona-Correa
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.
| | - Camilo Rueda-Ortiz
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Oscar Muñoz
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia; Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Ángel Alberto García
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia; Division of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Daniel G Fernández-Ávila
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
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8
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Garikipati SC, Grewal US, Gaddam SJ, Sheth AR, Samant H. Assessing the Educational Value of Pancreatic Cancer Videos on YouTube®. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2023; 38:1134-1139. [PMID: 36469199 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-022-02239-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Online resources such as YouTube® can serve as the go-to resource for patients and their caregivers after a life-changing diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. There is a need to analyze the content and educational value of these videos for patients with pancreatic cancer. The top 100 most viewed videos on pancreatic cancer on YouTube® were assessed and data were collected on various variables such as views, likes, dislikes, and comments. Videos categorized as patient educational videos were further analyzed for their content, source, and educational value. Videos uploaded by patients were the most discussed (p = 0.014) and liked (p = 0.0028) videos on YouTube®. The content of the videos (personal experience, advertisement, patient education, medical professional education, alternative treatments, and increased pancreatic cancer awareness) varied depending on the uploader (patients, healthcare providers, professional societies, media) of the videos (p = 0.0007). Patient education videos were poor in being comprehensive on their education of pancreatic cancer based on our rubric (mean score of 7.67 ± 2.63 of 20 possible points). The current study shows that the educational values of YouTube® videos related to pancreatic cancer remain limited. There is significant room for healthcare providers to use the platform to develop and share comprehensive videos that can be used as more effective sources of patient education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash C Garikipati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71104, USA
| | - Udhayvir Singh Grewal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71104, USA.
| | - Shiva Jashwanth Gaddam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71104, USA
| | - Aakash Rajendra Sheth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71104, USA
| | - Hrishikesh Samant
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Kim MJ, Kim JR, Jo JH, Kim JS, Park JW. Temporomandibular disorders-related videos on YouTube are unreliable sources of medical information: A cross-sectional analysis of quality and content. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231154377. [PMID: 36762021 PMCID: PMC9903026 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231154377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The amount of online medical information available is rapidly growing and YouTube is considered as the most popular source of healthcare information nowadays. However, no study has been conducted to comprehensively evaluate YouTube videos related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). So this study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of YouTube videos as a source of medical information on TMD. Method A total of 237 YouTube videos that were systematically searched using five keywords (temporomandibular disorders, tmd, temporomandibular joint, tmj, and jaw joint) were included. Included videos were categorized by purpose and source for analysis. The quality (DISCERN, Health on the Net (HON), Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP), and Global Quality Scale (GQS)) and scientific accuracy of video contents were evaluated. Results Total content, DISCERN, HON, EQIP, and GQS scores were 7.5%, 38.9%, 35.2%, 53.0%, and 48.6% of the maximum possible score, respectively. Only 69 videos (29.1%) were considered as "useful" for patients. News media, physician, and medical source videos showed higher evaluation scores than others. Quality evaluation scores were not significantly correlated or negatively correlated with public preference indices. In the ROC curve analysis, content and DISCERN score showed above excellent discrimination ability for high-quality videos based on GQS (P < 0.001) and total score (P < 0.001). Conclusions YouTube videos related to TMD contained low quality and scientifically inaccurate information that could negatively influence patients with TMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Jong Kim
- Department of Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Gwanak Dental Hospital, Seoul, Korea (ROK)
| | - Ji Rak Kim
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea (ROK)
| | - Jung Hwan Jo
- Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (ROK),Department of Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Korea (ROK)
| | - Ju Sik Kim
- Department of Dentistry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (ROK)
| | - Ji Woon Park
- Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (ROK),Department of Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Korea (ROK),Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (ROK),Ji Woon Park, Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND YouTube is an increasingly used platform for medical information. However, the validity of health-related information on psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on YouTube has not been determined. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and quality of YouTube videos concerning PsA. MATERIALS AND METHODS A YouTube search was performed on April 18, 2021, using the keyword "psoriatic arthritis." Two independent raters accessed the content, source, and detailed characteristics of the included videos. The reliability and quality of the videos were analyzed using the modified DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria score, and global quality scale score. RESULTS Of the 200 videos screened, 155 were included in the study after applying the exclusion criteria. A total of 132 (85.2%) videos revealed useful information about PsA, whereas the remaining 23 (14.8%) were misleading. Video interaction parameters including the median number of views, views per day, likes, dislikes, and comments demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups. The videos posted by universities and professional organizations displayed the highest reliability and quality scores. CONCLUSION The majority of YouTube videos on PsA contained useful information. However, physicians should alert patients to the possibility of misinformation and non-validated sources. Professional organizations in the field of rheumatology, such as the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism, should consider collaborating with YouTube to deliver high-quality content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Erkut Onder
- Department of Rheumatology, Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital, 68100 Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Orhan Zengin
- Department of Rheumatology, Dr Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
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11
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Yee D, Khan S, Zagona-Prizio C, Maynard N, Reddy R, Khan S, Mehta M, Armstrong AW. Public Perception of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines Among Psoriasis Patients in Social Media: Content, Sentiment, and Engagement Analysis. JOURNAL OF PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS 2022; 7:164-173. [PMID: 38603111 PMCID: PMC9207593 DOI: 10.1177/24755303221110095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Psoriasis patients may seek information about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and their disease from social media platforms. Analyses of social media interactions may help guide dermatologists' educational efforts during this pandemic. Objectives This study analyzes social media interactions among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis regarding the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to determine the misinformation circulating and the apprehension to receiving the vaccine. Methods Publicly accessible Facebook and Reddit groups regarding psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were identified. Posts uploaded between March 1, 2021 and July 31, 2021 which contained information about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were extracted. First-order themes, sub-themes, sentiment scores and engagement scores were assigned to each post. Results 345 posts within the first-order theme of vaccination decision and 1379 posts within the first-order theme of vaccine reaction were analyzed. Within vaccination decision, common sub-themes for refusing the vaccine include fear of psoriasis flare up, vaccine is experimental, vaccine is unnecessary, vaccine is dangerous, and concern for reaction/vaccine efficacy while on psoriasis medications. 41.4% of posts contained positive sentiment; whereas, 38.3% contained negative sentiment. Within vaccine reaction, common sub-themes identified were no change to psoriasis, skin/joint flare up, skin flare up attributed specifically to stopping psoriasis medications, skin/joint improvement, and skin flare up but vaccine was worth it. 77.8% of posts contained positive sentiment; whereas, 6.2% contained negative sentiment. Conclusions Our study identified common SARS-CoV-2 vaccine concerns within the psoriasis community which should be used to guide educational efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Yee
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sabrina Khan
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Nicole Maynard
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rasika Reddy
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Samiya Khan
- Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Manan Mehta
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - April W. Armstrong
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Osman W, Mohamed F, Elhassan M, Shoufan A. Is YouTube a reliable source of health-related information? A systematic review. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:382. [PMID: 35590410 PMCID: PMC9117585 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03446-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND YouTube is a valuable source of health-related educational material which can have a profound impact on people's behaviors and decisions. However, YouTube contains a wide variety of unverified content that may promote unhealthy behaviors and activities. We aim in this systematic review to provide insight into the published literature concerning the quality of health information and educational videos found on YouTube. METHODS We searched Google Scholar, Medline (through PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, Direct Science, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases to find all papers on the analysis of medical and health-related content published in English up to August 2020. Based on eligibility criteria, 202 papers were included in our study. We reviewed every article and extracted relevant data such as the number of videos and assessors, the number and type of quality categories, and the recommendations made by the authors. The extracted data from the papers were aggregated using different methods to compile the results. RESULTS The total number of videos assessed in the selected articles is 22,300 (median = 94, interquartile range = 50.5-133). The videos were evaluated by one or multiple assessors (median = 2, interquartile range = 1-3). The video quality was assessed by scoring, categorization, or based on creators' bias. Researchers commonly employed scoring systems that are either standardized (e.g., GQS, DISCERN, and JAMA) or based upon the guidelines and recommendations of professional associations. Results from the aggregation of scoring or categorization data indicate that health-related content on YouTube is of average to below-average quality. The compiled results from bias-based classification show that only 32% of the videos appear neutral toward the health content. Furthermore, the majority of the studies confirmed either negative or no correlation between the quality and popularity of the assessed videos. CONCLUSIONS YouTube is not a reliable source of medical and health-related information. YouTube's popularity-driven metrics such as the number of views and likes should not be considered quality indicators. YouTube should improve its ranking and recommender system to promote higher-quality content. One way is to consider expert reviews of medical and health-related videos and to include their assessment data in the ranking algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Osman
- Department of Biology, and Pre-Med Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Center of Biotechnology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| | - Fatma Mohamed
- Center for Cyber-Physical Systems (C2PS), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | - Abdulhadi Shoufan
- Center for Cyber-Physical Systems (C2PS), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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13
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Barahona-Correa JE, Romero-Alvernia DM, Rueda-Ortiz C, Muñoz O, Garcia AA, Fernández-Ávila DG. Social media as source of information for Spanish-speaking patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2022; 31:953-962. [PMID: 35549754 DOI: 10.1177/09612033221098884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may benefit from health-care information in social media (SoMe), they may also be prone to misleading information. An assessment of the reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of information uploaded to SoMe for Spanish-speaking patients with SLE is lacking. METHODS This analytical observational study evaluates the videos uploaded to YouTube® in Spanish about SLE. Information about video length, engagement (i.e., views and likes), time on the internet, popularity index, and source was retrieved, and an evaluation on reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality was performed using standardized scores. RESULTS One hundred eighty-six videos were included in the analysis. Most videos were considered as useful (87%) or useful patient opinion (8.1%), whereas only 2.2% were considered misleading and 2.7% as misleading patient opinion. The number of views (Median 7207 vs 113,877, p = .012), popularity index (Median 13.8 vs 168.7, p < .001), number of likes (Median 155 vs 3400, p < .001), and number of dislikes (Median 3 vs 138, p = .004) were higher for misleading videos. The videos uploaded by independent users had a higher engagement than those from government or news agencies, professional organizations or academic channels. Misleading videos and those uploaded by independent users had lower rates of reliability, comprehensiveness and quality (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Most of the information shown in YouTube® videos on SLE tends to be useful. However, audience engagement parameters are larger for misleading videos. Exploring the qualitative features of the most popular videos is necessary to establish what features are more engaging for the audiences and to improve the content and popularity of reliable videos on chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián E Barahona-Correa
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Diana M Romero-Alvernia
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Camilo Rueda-Ortiz
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Oscar Muñoz
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.,Department of Internal Medicine, 173049Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Angel A Garcia
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.,Division of Cardiology, 173049Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Daniel G Fernández-Ávila
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 27964Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.,Division of Rheumatology, 173049Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia
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14
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Barrutia L, Vega-Gutiérrez J, Santamarina-Albertos A. Benefits, drawbacks, and challenges of social media use in dermatology: A systematic review. J DERMATOL TREAT 2022; 33:2738-2757. [PMID: 35506617 DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2069661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The presence of dermatological information on social media has grown exponentially over the last two decades. Consequently, the recent literature on this topic is abundant. Many authors have highlighted that social media constitutes a unique opportunity for patient education. Additionally, numerous other benefits of these platforms have been reported. However, other authors have focused on the potential risks that these networks involve. The main concerns are patient confidentiality, legal considerations and ethical issues. Therefore, we stand at a crossroads where the many advantages of social media use in dermatology seem to be underestimated due to the presence of potential drawbacks. At this point, we propose that a systematic review of the positive and negative aspects of using social media in dermatology is necessary. We carried out a comprehensive systematic review dating from inception to July 2021. Finally, 161 articles were included. Fifteen benefits, 11 drawbacks and 10 challenges of social media use in dermatology were identified and discussed. Suggested strategies to address the identified drawbacks were provided. Overall, while there are risks to using social media, they are outnumbered by their benefits. Therefore, dermatologists should embrace this opportunity to educate patients and aim to create rigorous and engaging content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Barrutia
- Dermatology, Medicine and Toxicology Department, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.,Dermatology Department, Clinical University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jesús Vega-Gutiérrez
- Dermatology, Medicine and Toxicology Department, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.,Dermatology Department, Río Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alba Santamarina-Albertos
- Dermatology, Medicine and Toxicology Department, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.,Dermatology Department, Clinical University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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15
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Heague M, Ray C, Bowers J, Guckian J, Arents BWM, Layton A. Patient and Public Involvement in Dermatology Research: A Review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2022; 23:319-329. [PMID: 35349092 PMCID: PMC8962283 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-022-00680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is defined as research being carried out 'with' or 'by' members of the public, patients, and carers, on both an individual and a group level, rather than simply 'about', or 'for' them. Within dermatology, PPI is increasingly recognised as a vital component of research as it helps to ensure that research remains relevant to the populations we intend to serve. Dermatology scholarship, with its rich psychosocial implications due to the stigma, physical disability, and mental health burdens these conditions may incur, is in a unique position to benefit from PPI to unlock previously inaccessible patient lived experiences or therapeutic consequences. Throughout the rapid growth of PPI, it has been infused throughout the research lifecycle, from design to dissemination and beyond. After first explaining the principles of PPI, we examine the existing evidence base at each research stage to explore whether our specialty has effectively harnessed this approach and to identify any subsequent impact of PPI. Finally, we scrutinise the challenges faced by those implementing PPI in dermatology research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chandrima Ray
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanne Bowers
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
| | - Jonathan Guckian
- Dermatology Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, UK.
| | - Bernd W M Arents
- Dutch Association for People with Atopic Dermatitis (VMCE), Nijkerk, The Netherlands
| | - Alison Layton
- Hull York Medical School, York University, Heslington, York, UK
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
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16
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Cooper BR, Concilla A, Albrecht JM, Bhukhan A, Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Rundle CW, McEldrew EC, Presley CL. Social Media as a Medium for Dermatologic Education. CURRENT DERMATOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 11:103-109. [PMID: 35493063 PMCID: PMC9036500 DOI: 10.1007/s13671-022-00359-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review We explore the utility of social media platforms as educational tools in dermatology, providing a summary of how these sites are used by the public and dermatologists alike, and demonstrating ways these findings may be applied for educational purposes. Recent Findings Over half of the world’s population utilizes social media platforms. More recently, these platforms have increasingly been used for educational purposes. In the field of dermatology, a large portion of the educational content is coming from users with no formal medical or dermatologic training. Summary Each of the top five social media platforms in the world (Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook) has unique qualities which people may utilize to educate fellow users. As more of the population seeks online health information and education, it is important that dermatologists, while taking ethical considerations into account, become more comfortable facilitating educational content on social media.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony Concilla
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Aashni Bhukhan
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
| | | | | | | | - Emily C. McEldrew
- Division of Dermatology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA USA
| | - Colby L. Presley
- Division of Dermatology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA USA
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17
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Roche D, Murphy M, O'Connor C. A qualitative analysis of online misinformation and conspiracy theories in psoriasis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2021; 47:949-952. [PMID: 34856001 DOI: 10.1111/ced.15041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic, hereditary disease with a complex immunopathogenesis, rendering it susceptible to misinformation. Misinformation related to psoriasis can have negative effects both on the public perception of psoriasis and on patients' knowledge of psoriasis. To characterize misinformation related to psoriasis available online, we performed a formal literature review via PubMed and a thematic review via Google. Key themes of misinformation included 'victim-blaming' (hygiene), 'vector' (contagion), 'vaccination', 'vilification' of conventional therapy, 'validation' of natural treatment and diet, 'veneration' of cures and 'vocalization' from celebrities. Misinformation related to psoriasis is pervasive on social media and other websites. Dermatologists, as patient advocates, should be aware of the content of misinformation available online and combat misleading health information to optimize health outcomes for patients with psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Roche
- Department of Dermatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - M Murphy
- Department of Dermatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - C O'Connor
- Department of Dermatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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18
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Patel MM, Kirchner A, Sharma S, Garg S, Kovach T, Park B, Lio PA. A quality assessment of YouTube videos on sclerosing disorders. Int J Dermatol 2021; 61:e360-e362. [PMID: 34289110 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mit M Patel
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Allison Kirchner
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sripadh Sharma
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Swati Garg
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Brandon Park
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Peter A Lio
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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19
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Ayoub G, Chalhoub E, Sleilaty G, Kourie HR. YouTube as a source of information on breast cancer in the Arab world. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:8009-8017. [PMID: 34224018 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06403-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The general population is increasingly using YouTube as a source of information on breast cancer, the most frequent cancer among women. Arabs are the most interested population in breast cancer on YouTube. The transmission of accurate information is important to reduce mortality rates. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate breast cancer videos on YouTube in the Arab world. METHODS A YouTube search for "breast cancer" in Arabic was performed. The most viewed 60 videos included were evaluated for global quality (GQS score), reliability (modified DISCERN score), content (content score), and misleading claims. Recorded and calculated data included views, duration, videos power index, and viewers' interaction. Sources from legal persons (governments, universities, TV channels, physicians' groups), and blogs (online health channels, individuals) were categorized. RESULTS The median global quality (3/5), reliability (2/5), and content scores (4/11) were overall low. Misleading information was found in 42% of the videos. Although videos uploaded by legal persons were less popular (163,454 vs 327,488 views), they hosted more physicians (52% vs 15%), were less misleading (15% vs 64%), covered more content, and were of higher global quality and reliability than videos uploaded by blogs [p < 0.05]. While the topic of symptoms (55%) was discussed the most, genetic counseling (13%) and prevention (20%) were the least mentioned. CONCLUSIONS YouTube is poorly informational and inaccurate on breast cancer in the Arab World where it is highly used. Although videos uploaded by legal persons tend to be more adequate, they are of lower popularity. Governments and physicians are encouraged to upload more intelligibly informational videos, guide the population to reliable sources, and support regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Ayoub
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Elie Chalhoub
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan Sleilaty
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hampig Raphael Kourie
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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20
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Long V, Tan CL, Choi ECE. What's #Trending: embracing social media in dermatology. Int J Dermatol 2021; 61:e44-e46. [PMID: 33990943 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valencia Long
- Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Chris Lixian Tan
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Ellie Ci-En Choi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
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21
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Pithadia DJ, Reynolds KA, Lee EB, Wu JJ. Dupilumab for atopic dermatitis: what are patients learning on YouTube? J DERMATOL TREAT 2020; 33:571-572. [DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1755418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erica B. Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jashin J. Wu
- Dermatology Research and Education Foundation, Irvine, CA
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22
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Wang Y, McKee M, Torbica A, Stuckler D. Systematic Literature Review on the Spread of Health-related Misinformation on Social Media. Soc Sci Med 2019; 240:112552. [PMID: 31561111 PMCID: PMC7117034 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 584] [Impact Index Per Article: 116.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary commentators describe the current period as “an era of fake news” in which misinformation, generated intentionally or unintentionally, spreads rapidly. Although affecting all areas of life, it poses particular problems in the health arena, where it can delay or prevent effective care, in some cases threatening the lives of individuals. While examples of the rapid spread of misinformation date back to the earliest days of scientific medicine, the internet, by allowing instantaneous communication and powerful amplification has brought about a quantum change. In democracies where ideas compete in the marketplace for attention, accurate scientific information, which may be difficult to comprehend and even dull, is easily crowded out by sensationalized news. In order to uncover the current evidence and better understand the mechanism of misinformation spread, we report a systematic review of the nature and potential drivers of health-related misinformation. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus and Google databases to identify relevant methodological and empirical articles published between 2012 and 2018. A total of 57 articles were included for full-text analysis. Overall, we observe an increasing trend in published articles on health-related misinformation and the role of social media in its propagation. The most extensively studied topics involving misinformation relate to vaccination, Ebola and Zika Virus, although others, such as nutrition, cancer, fluoridation of water and smoking also featured. Studies adopted theoretical frameworks from psychology and network science, while co-citation analysis revealed potential for greater collaboration across fields. Most studies employed content analysis, social network analysis or experiments, drawing on disparate disciplinary paradigms. Future research should examine susceptibility of different sociodemographic groups to misinformation and understand the role of belief systems on the intention to spread misinformation. Further interdisciplinary research is also warranted to identify effective and tailored interventions to counter the spread of health-related misinformation online. Studies on health misinformation mainly relate to vaccine and infectious disease. Findings show high prevalence and popularity of misinformation on social media. Theoretical frameworks are drawn on disparate disciplinary paradigms. Studies employed content analysis, social network analysis or experiments. More interdisciplinary research needed to understand the susceptibility of users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Wang
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care, Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, Italy.
| | - Martin McKee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandra Torbica
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care, Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, Italy
| | - David Stuckler
- Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, Italy
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