Can YouTube videos concerning the esophagogastroduodenoscopy experience be a reliable and satisfactory source of information for patient education in developing countries? A cross-sectional study from Turkey

Abstract

Background/Aim: Social media has great potential for easy access to medical information especially in underdeveloped countries. We aimed to analyze the content, reliability and quality of the most viewed YouTube videos, targeting patients intending to use this social media platform as a source of information about the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure. Methods: Using the keywords “esophagogastroduodenoscopy” and “upper gastrointestinal endoscopy”, we assessed the publicly visible English-language videos available on YouTube. EGD Data Quality Score (EGD-DQS), Global Quality Score (GQS) and a modified DISCERN scale were used to assess the quality, flow and ease of use of the information and the reliability of the EGD videos. Results: Universities/health-care professional group was the most common source of video upload (36%). The reliability score of the videos presented by physicians was significantly higher compared to all other lecturer groups (P=0.044). The reliability score, EGD-DQS and GQS score were also found to be statistically higher in the universities/health-care professional group compared to the health information websites, advertisement and patient groups (P