Abstract
Objectives This article evaluates the completeness and accuracy of YouTube videos related to
endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) as a source for patient information.
Design YouTube was searched using relevant terms pertaining to ETS. Videos were evaluated
independently by two physician reviewers experienced in ETS. Video demographics including
uploader source along with validity scores based on predetermined checklists were
captured.
Setting Internet.
Participants Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures A novel ETS scoring checklist, the modified DISCERN criteria, and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark score were used to measure completeness and accuracy of videos.
video power index (VPI) was calculated to reflect popularity. Intraclass correlation
coefficient was calculated for rater agreement.
Results Seventy-nine videos were included in final scoring and analysis. The ETS score, DISCERN,
JAMA, and mean VPI across all included videos were 5.0 ± 2.7, 2.4 ± 0.83, 2.19 ± 0.62,
and 8.92 ± 18.1, respectively. Based on the ETS score checklist, 31 (39%) of the videos
were rated as poor, 30 (38%) were moderately useful, 17 (22%) were useful, and 1 (1%)
was exceptional. There was a significant positive correlation between the ETS, DISCERN,
and JAMA scores (p < 0.001), but no correlation with VPI and the validity scores. There were no significant
differences comparing validity scores based on the uploader source.
Conclusion YouTube videos related to ETS have limited usefulness and poor overall validity for
patient information. Clinicians should direct patients to other validated sources
of information and aim to improve the comprehensiveness of ETS-related videos.
Keywords
patient education - endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery - YouTube - online patient
information - surgical technique - endoscopic procedure
