Assessment of Reliability and Quality of Videos on Medial Epicondylitis Shared on YouTube

Introduction Video-sharing websites, especially YouTube search engine, have become popular sources for obtaining health information over the years. The reliability and quality of contents on YouTube are unpredictable and questionable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and quality of videos on medial epicondylitis shared on the YouTube platform. Methods A YouTube search with the keywords “medial epicondylitis” and “golfer’s elbow” was conducted. After typing each keyword, the first 50 videos that appeared in the first three pages were evaluated. The titles and duration of the videos, the uploading sources, the time passed since the upload, number of total views, likes, dislikes and comments were recorded. All videos were analyzed and scored using the DISCERN scoring system, modified DISCERN (mod-DISCERN) scale, and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results Eighty-eight videos met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean DISCERN score, mod-DISCERN score and GQS were 40.68±10.5, 1.81±0.76, and 2.72±0.9, respectively. Most of the videos had poor and very poor quality content according to the DISCERN instrument, the mod-DISCERN scale and GQS tool. The main upload sources were doctors (36.4%), physiotherapists (25%), patients (2.2%), and other (36.4%). The videos uploaded by doctors had higher quality scores than other uploading sources. Of the 88 videos, 10 were about diagnosis alone, 39 were on treatment alone, and 39 contained information about both of diagnosis and treatment. The mean DISCERN score, mod-DISCERN score and GQS of the videos on “both” were significantly higher than those “diagnosis alone” and “treatment alone” groups. Conclusion Nearly 80% of YouTube videos on medial epicondylitis according to the DISCERN and GQS tool, and also 97.7% of videos according to the mod-DISCERN scale had medium or poor quality. YouTube videos on medial epicondylitis could not be considered as accurate and reliable sources. Because the videos uploaded by doctors had higher quality scores, the physicians should prepare and upload more reliable and quality contents with detailed information on YouTube.