Quality of YouTube Videos About Cataracts and Surgical Management

Objective: In recent years, YouTube has been frequently used as a source of information in the medical field. To clarify the quality of Turkish language YouTube videos about cataracts and surgical management.
Methods: Two experienced ophthalmologists searched for the terms “cataract”, “cataract surgery”, “phacoemulsification cataract surgery”, and “intraocular lens” in YouTube. Queries were performed only in the Turkish language. Video characteristics were recorded, and quality and reliability of each video was analyzed with the global quality score (GQS), the modified DISCERN form, and the patient education materials assessment tool (PEMAT).
Results: A total of 184 YouTube videos were evaluated to for inclusion in the analysis, and 58 videos did not match with study inclusion criteria. The mean number of views was significantly higher in favor of professional videos (p=0.006). The duration on YouTube was significantly longer for non-professional videos (217.5 days vs. 400.0 days, p=0.005). Moreover, “like count” and “comment count” were significantly higher for professional videos (p=0.001 and p=0.003). Modified DISCERN score was 3.5 for professional videos and 2.1 for non-professional videos, and GQS was 3.4 for professional videos and 2.3 for non-professional videos (p=0.001 for both parameters). In addition, 75 (91.5%) videos uploaded by professional health care providers had PEMAT score >70, and 20 (58.8%) non-professional videos had PEMAT score >70 (p=0.001).
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that view numbers, like count, and comment count were significantly higher for professional videos, but duration on YouTube was significantly longer for non-professional videos. Quality of professional YouTube videos about cataracts and surgical management were significantly better according to the modified DISCERN score, GQS, and PEMAT score.