Evaluation of Scientific Quality of YouTube Video Content Related to Umbilical Hernia

Objective: Patients with umbilical hernias frequently refer to the YouTube videos to learn and perhaps apply traditional treatment methods. It is very difficult for these users to distinguish these videos as useful or harmful. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the scientific quality of YouTube video content on umbilical hernia. Methods: A total of 50 videos on YouTube pertaining to umbilical hernia were included in the study. All videos were evaluated by two experienced general surgeons. The uploader, video content, length, upload date, time since upload, number of views, numbers of comments, likes, and dislikes and Video Power Index (VPI) rates videos were recorded and evaluated. The videos were scored using the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Results: A total of 9,836 comments were made to the videos, 118,478 likes were made, and 15,009 dislikes were made. The mean DISCERN score given to the videos by the researchers was 2.57 ± 1.82 (min-max: 1-5) and the average GQS score was 2.62 ± 1.86. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of both DISCERN and GQS scores of videos uploaded by doctors compared to videos uploaded by nondoctors (p < 0.001). A statistically significant level of good agreement was found among investigators in terms of both DISCERN (p < 0.001, r = 0.778) and GQS (p < 0.001, r = 0.807) scores. Conclusion: Videos with health content should definitely be uploaded by experts. Studies investigating the scientific quality of health videos uploaded on YouTube and similar platforms should be carried out continuously.