#Cartilage: TikTok Videos on Cartilage Surgery Demonstrate Low Quality and Limited Educational Value.

Video material is one of the most common types of digital information on social media platforms. To assess the validity and informational value of TikTok videos with regard to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Cross-sectional study. Using the terms "anterior cruciate ligament" AND/OR "ACL," 420 TikTok videos were retrieved, of which 100 videos were included in the analysis. The video duration and the number of likes, shares, and views were recorded. Videos were categorized based on the source (private user, physical therapist, surgeon, and researcher), subject type (patient experience, physical therapy, injury mechanism, anatomy, clinical test, and surgical technique), content (patient experience/testimony, education, and rehabilitation), and any background audio (music or voice). Video quality assessments were conducted using the DISCERN instrument, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Associations between quantitative variables were tested using the Spearman rank correlation. One-way analysis of variance or Mann-Whitney test was performed to assess whether video quality differed by video characteristics. A total of 41 videos were published by private users (41%), 34 by physical therapists (34%), 23 by surgeons (23%), and 2 by researchers (2%). Most of the information regarded patient experience (34%), followed by physical therapy (20%), injury mechanism (19%), anatomy (11%), clinical test (9%), and surgical technique (7%). The mean video length was 40.55 ± 41.58 seconds. The mean number of views was 151,084.39 ± 487,150.02, while the mean numbers of comments, likes, and shares were 72.80 ± 249.68, 6781.49 ± 29,163.96, and 98.71 ± 307.76, respectively. The mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 15.73 ± 1.44, 0.19 ± 0.39, and 1.16 ± 0.37, respectively, indicating the poorest quality on all 3 indices. The number of views, likes, shares, comments, and video lengths were all positively correlated with DISCERN (except the number of shares), JAMA, and GQS scores (P < .05). A significant difference was found in DISCERN scores between videos by private users and those by surgeons (15.37 ± 0.98 vs 16.22 ± 1.57; P = .007). Our analysis has demonstrated that the educational value of these videos on the ACL on TikTok is poor. Given the rapid growth of TikTok, further research is needed.

YouTube is a poor-quality source for patient information on the rehabilitation following total shoulder arthroplasty

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of the material provided on TikTok regarding frozen shoulders. The hypothesis was that the video content on this platform would not provide adequate and valid information.MethodsThe current study focused on frozen shoulder videos on the TikTok social media platform. The terms “frozen shoulder” and/or “adhesive capsulitis” were used as keywords for an extensive online search of video content on TikTok, and the first 100 videos were included. Out-of-topic, non-English, and duplicated videos were excluded from the analysis. The duration and numbers of likes, shares, and views were recorded for each video. Further, videos were categorized based on the source (physiotherapist/osteopath, medical doctor, or private user), type of information (physical therapy, etiopathogenesis, anatomy, clinical examination, patient experience, or symptoms), video content (rehabilitation, education, or patient experience/testimony), and the presence of music or a voice. The assessment of the video content’s quality and reliability was performed by two experienced shoulder surgeons using the DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS).ResultsA total of 100 videos were included in the analysis, of which 86 (86.0%) were published by physiotherapists/osteopaths. Most of the information and video content focused on physical therapy and rehabilitation (83.0% and 84.0%, respectively). Eighty-four (84.0%) videos included voice comments, while the remaining featured music. The mean number of views was 2,142,215.32 ± 6,148,794.63, while the mean numbers of likes, comments, and shares were 58,438.67 ± 201,863.54, 550.81 ± 1712.22, and 3327.43 ± 7320.81, respectively. The mean video duration was 110.20 ± 116.43 s. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 16.17 ± 2.36, 0.61 ± 0.51, and 1.18 ± 0.41, respectively. Videos posted by medical doctors or private users received higher scores than those posted by physiotherapists/osteopaths (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe educational value of videos published on TikTok was poor; videos posted by medical doctors exhibited better quality and educational value than those of physiotherapists or osteopaths. It is the responsibility of orthopedic surgeons to investigate the potential benefits, consequences, and implications of TikTok video content for the health of frozen shoulder patients and to propose necessary adjustments. Given the rapid growth of TikTok, further research is needed.Level of evidenceLevel IV—cross-sectional study.

PurposeTo evaluate the quality of meniscus-related TikTok videos to better understand their value for patient education. MethodsThe term “meniscus” was used as the keyword for an extensive online search of video content on the TikTok on November 14, 2023. The first 100 videos were used for analysis. The duration of the videos, and the number of likes, shares and views were recorded for each video. Furthermore, videos were categorized based on the source (health workers, private user), the type of subject (patient experience, physcal therapy, anatomy, clinical examnation, surgical technique and injury mechanism), type of content (patient experience/testimony, education, rehabilitation) and the presence of music or voice. The quality and reliability assessments of video contents were conducted using the DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). ResultsOf the 100 videos included in this study, 62 (62.0%) videos were published by health workers, 38 by private users (38.0%). Most of the information regarded patient experience (36–36.0%), followed by physical therapy (32–32.0%), anatomy (14–14.0%), clinical examination (8–8.0%), surgical technique (6–6.0%), and injury mechanism (4–4.0%). Video content reported patient experience in 39 (39.0%) videos, rehabilitation in 31 (31.0%) videos, and education in the remaining 30 (30.0%). The mean length of the videos was 39.12±49.56 seconds. The mean number of views was 1383001.65±5291822.28, while the mean numbers of comments, likes and shares were 408.53±1976.90, 54763.43±211823.44 and 873.70±2802.01, respectively. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score and GQS were 17.93±5.07, 0.24±0.47 and 1.15±0.41, respectively. ConclusionsMeniscus-related videos on TikTok are widely viewed and shared, but the overall educational value to patients was poor.

PurposeIn this study, it was aimed to determine the quality and accuracy of the videos on YouTube about lateral epicondylitis.MethodsThe first 100 videos were included in the study by typing the keyword "lateral epicondylitis" in the YouTube search tab without using any filters. The video power index (VPI) was used to evaluate the popularity of the videos, and the global quality score (GQS), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and DISCERN scoring systems were used to evaluate the quality. The obtained data were statistically analyzed according to these scoring systems.ResultsThe mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS of the analyzed videos were 46.66, 3.13, and 3.85, respectively. According to these results, it was determined that the videos were of medium quality. A statistically insignificant and weak correlation was found between the VPI and DISCERN, GQS, and JAMA scores (p>0.05, intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC: −0.05, 0.09, and −0.05, respectively). While there was no significant relationship between the video source and the DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores (p>0.05), it was determined that the DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores in the exercise videos were significantly higher than in the other content types in terms of the video content (p=0.041).ConclusionsAccording to the results obtained, it was determined that YouTube videos about lateral epicondylitis were not of sufficient quality. In order to ensure standardization for quality videos, internationally acceptable guidelines should be determined and studies should be carried out to provide an adequate infrastructure for the preparation of quality medical videos that can meet the increasing needs of patients by health institutions.

To evaluate the quality, reliability, and educational value of social media videos available on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook related to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty using validated assessment tools. A systematic search was conducted in two rounds: October 5-6, 2024, and again on October 19-20, 2024, on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook using the keywords "vertebroplasty," "kyphoplasty," and "vertebral augmentation." Only publicly accessible English-language videos specifically addressing these procedures were included. Exclusion criteria were non-relevant, promotional, duplicate, or technically inadequate content. Two interventional radiologists independently assessed the videos using the DISCERN instrument (range, 15-75), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria (0-4), and the Global Quality Score (GQS, 1-5). Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations between video characteristics and quality scores. A total of 101 videos met the inclusion criteria (YouTube 85%, TikTok 8%, Facebook 7%). The mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 34 ± 1.45, 1.87 ± 0.07, and 2.18 ± 0.13, respectively, indicating poor overall quality. Videos with structured presentations and physician narration scored significantly higher, whereas video length correlated positively with quality up to a threshold of 460s for DISCERN and 501s for GQS. Video popularity (likes) showed no significant correlation with quality scores. Social media videos on vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are generally of low educational quality and reliability. Videos presented by healthcare professionals and those with structured formats tend to score higher. These findings underscore the need for expert-driven, high-quality medical content to improve patient education and reduce misinformation on social media platforms.

Purpose This study investigated the quality of YouTube videos addressing multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) as educational resources. Materials and Methods An online search of YouTube was performed for the terms “multifocal lens implants” and “multifocal iol”. A total of 339 videos were recorded. After these videos were investigated, the final remaining 140 videos were enrolled in the study. All videos were evaluated in terms of their DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Global Quality (GQ) scores by two independent experienced ophthalmologists. Results The median DISCERN score was 33 (poor quality), JAMA score was 1.25 (lowest quality), and GQ score was 2 (poor quality). Of the 140 videos, 80 videos (57.1%) were uploaded by physicians and another 60 videos (42.9%) were uploaded by non-physicians. There was no statistically significant difference in general characteristics of the videos between the physicians and non-physicians groups. Also, their mean DISCERN, JAMA and GQ scores were similar between the groups (p = .101, p = .441 and p = .209, respectively). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the content of YouTube videos regarding multifocal IOLs is of generally poor quality and is not adequately educational for patients. Nevertheless, to ensure patients’ access to accurate medical information, we believe that the content and reliability of medical information obtained from online videos should be examined by healthcare specialists from the viewpoint of patients.

YouTube is one of the largest internet platforms used worldwide. People often use this platform to get information. Since little is known about YouTube as a source of information on optic neuritis (ON), we investigated the quality, reliability and perception of ON videos related to content among YouTube users. An online search was conducted on YouTube using the keyword 'optic neuritis'. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 50 videos were included in the study. All videos were evaluated based on likes, comments, views, view count, source of information and video content. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), DISCERN and Global Quality Scores (GQS) were independently evaluated by two ophthalmologists. This study analysed 50 YouTube videos with a total of 604 283 views. The mean scores for JAMA, GQS and DISCERN were 1.95 ± 0.43, 2.96 ± 1.21 and 41.59 ± 1.46, respectively. Videos created by physicians (46% ophthalmologists, 14% non-ophthalmologist physicians) had significantly higher JAMA and GQS scores (p < 0.05) compared to others; though no differences were observed in the DISCERN scores. Video metrics such as views, likes and comments did not show a significant association with quality scores. The overall quality of the videos was suboptimal. Videos created by physicians demonstrated higher quality based on JAMA and GQS scores, highlighting the importance of expert authorship in online health content. The video metrics did not correlate with quality, highlighting the need for reliable evaluation criteria beyond the popularity measures.

Amblyopia is the main cause of monocular vision loss in children. Early recognition and treatment are important to prevent vision loss. As public health awareness increases, short videos platforms like TikTok and Bilibili are increasingly being used to disseminate health information. However, due to the lack of peer review and supervision, short-video platforms tend to disseminate incorrect and incomplete health information. At present, the quality of videos on amblyopia has not been systematically evaluated. To evaluate the quality of videos related to amblyopia, this cross-sectional study used the Chinese term “amblyopia” as the search keyword to collect videos from TikTok and Bilibili. After applying exclusion criteria, 185 videos (94 from TikTok, 91 from Bilibili) were analyzed. Data on video length and characteristics, including engagement metrics (likes, collections, comments and shares) were collected. The assessment tools including the Global Quality Score (GQS), the modified DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI) were used to evaluate video reliability and quality. Through statistical analysis, the quality and reliability among two platforms, video sources, and video quality were evaluated. On the TikTok, videos were mainly uploaded by specialists with accounting for 71.3%. While on the Bilibili, videos were mainly uploaded by individual users with accounting for 45%. TikTok videos scored higher in quality (GQS: 2.862 ± 1.033; modified DISCERN: 2.277 ± 0.8848; VIQI: 10.88 ± 2.531) compared to Bilibili (GQS: 2.242 ± 1.089 p < 0.0001; modified DISCERN: 1.846 ± 0.8154 p = 0.001; VIQI: 6.571 ± 1.910 p < 0.0001). Specialist-uploaded videos performed notably better in quality, with GQS, modified DISCERN, JAMA and VIQI scores of 3(3–4), 3(2–3), 3(2–3) and 11(9–13), respectively. On both platforms, the topic of amblyopia treatment was the most frequently discussed one, while the topic of prevention received the lowest level of discussion. The TikTok videos demonstrated a significantly higher level of audience engagement compared to Bilibili. Correlation analysis revealed that there were strong correlations between interaction data, but interaction data had no correlation with GQS, modified DISCERN, JAMA and VIQI scores. On the whole, the user engagement and quality of TikTok are both higher than those of Bilibili. However, both of two platforms fall short in terms of the quality and reliability of videos related to amblyopia. The reliability of specialist-uploaded videos is higher. This might be because they can provide information that is more valuable to the audience. The two platforms’ videos pay far more attention to the treatment of amblyopia than to its prevention. The proposed intervention measures include robust platform certification, active involvement of medical specialists in content creation, and enriching the video content.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-31758-9.

Background/Aims:YouTube’s growing popularity as an educational resource for musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) raises questions about its potential to supplement medical education. This study evaluates MSKUS-related YouTube content comprehensively to determine its potential as a supplementary tool in medical education.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 151 YouTube videos related to MSKUS. Video characteristics and viewer interaction metrics were recorded. Video popularity was quantified using the Video Power Index. The Global Quality Score (GQS), the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), and the Medical Quality Video Evaluation Tool (MQ-VET) were employed to assess the educational value and quality of the videos. Video reliability was evaluated using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria.Results:The most frequent MSKUS topic covered was shoulder ultrasound (29.8%), primarily focusing on anatomical landmarks (38.7%). Educational quality assessment indicated that 40.4% of videos were classified as low quality by the GQS. DISCERN rated 43.7% of videos as “very poor” quality, whereas MQ-VET scored 25.8% as average quality. The JAMA criteria indicated that 69.5% of the videos provided only partially sufficient information. No videos cited clinical guidelines, 24.5% provided references, and 18.5% included captions. Academic sources demonstrated significantly higher quality (DISCERN: P = .018; JAMA: P = .015; MQ-VET: P = .009). Videos with captions and references/citations demonstrated significantly higher GQS, DISCERN, JAMA, and MQ-VET scores (all P < .001). Diagnostic videos had higher GQS (median 3 vs. 2; P = .021) and JAMA scores (median 2.5 vs. 2; P = .032) compared to injection videos.Conclusion:This study highlights the inconsistent quality of YouTube-based MSKUS educational content. While academic and well-referenced videos are of high quality, unvetted content often lacks accuracy, making uncurated YouTube videos unreliable for clinical learning. It is recommended that educators guide learners toward content from academic institutions or highly engaged videos with cited guidelines/sources. Standardized guidelines are crucial for integrating trustworthy YouTube MSKUS content into medical curricula.

Evaluation of YouTube videos as a patient information source on intravitreal injection procedures

Inflammatory back pain is a chronic condition with localized pain, particularly in the axial spine and sacroiliac joints, that is associated with morning stiffness and improves with exercise. YouTube is the second most frequently used social media platform for accessing health information. This study sought to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos on inflammatory back pain (IBP). The study design was planned as cross-sectional. A search was conducted using the term "inflammatory back pain," and the first 100 videos that met the inclusion criteria were selected on October 19, 2023. The data of the videos selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study settings were examined. Videos with English language, with audiovisual content , had a duration >30 s, non-duplicated and primary content related to IBP were included in the study. A number of video parameters such as the number of likes, number of views, duration, and content categories were assessed. The videos were assessed for reliability using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark criteria and the DISCERN tool. Quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Continuous variables were checked for normality of distribution using Shapiro-Wilk test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the continuous data depending on the number of groups. Categorical data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test. Reliability assessment based on JAMA scores showed 21% of the videos to have high reliability. Quality assessment based on GQS results showed 19% of the videos to have high quality. JAMA, DISCERN, and GQS scores differed significantly by source of video (p<0.001, < 0.001, and = 0.002, respectively). Video duration had a moderate positive correlation with scores from the GQS (r=0.418, p<0.001), JAMA (r=0.484, p<0.001), and modified DISCERN (r=0.418, p<0.001). The results of the present study showed that YouTube offers videos of low reliability and low quality on inflammatory back pain. Health authorities have a responsibility to protect public health and should take proactive steps regarding health information shared on social media platforms.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of TikTok content about epicondylitis. The hypothesis tested herein was that TikTok video content would not provide adequate and valid information.MethodsThe term “epicondylitis” was used as a keyword to comprehensively search for TikTok videos, and the first 100 videos that were retrieved were subsequently included for analysis. The duration, number of likes, number of shares and number of views were recorded for each video. Furthermore, the videos were categorized on the basis of their source (medical doctor, physiotherapist, or private user), type of information (physical therapy, anatomy, clinical examination, etiopathogenesis, patient experience, treatment, or other), video content (rehabilitation, education, or patient experience/testimony), and the presence of music or voice. Assessments of video content quality and reliability were conducted using the DISCERN tool, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS).ResultsA total of 100 videos were included in the analysis: 78 (78.0%) were published by physiotherapists, 18 were published by medical doctors (18.0%), and 4 were published by private users (4.0%). Most of the information pertained to physical therapy (75; 75.0%) and most of the content was about rehabilitation (75; 75.0%). The mean length of the videos was 42.51 ± 24.75 seconds; the mean number of views was 193,207.78 ± 1,300,853.86; and the mean number of comments, likes, and shares were 22.43 ± 62.54, 1578.52 ± 8333.11, and 149.87 ± 577.73, respectively. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 18.12 ± 5.73, 0.80 ± 0.53, and 1.30 ± 0.52, respectively. Videos posted by medical doctors/private users had higher scores (p < 0.05) than videos posted by physiotherapists. Videos that focused on education or patient experience had higher scores (p < 0.05) than videos based on rehabilitation.ConclusionsTikTok can be an unreliable source of information regarding epicondylitis treatment. It is common to find nonphysicians who share medical advice on the platform, with medical treatments demonstrating the weakest level of supporting evidence. Elbow surgeons should advise their patients that treatment recommendations from TikTok may not align with established guidelines.Level of Evidence: Level IV—Cross-sectional study.

To evaluate the quality, usefulness, and reliability of videos about Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) surgery on the YouTube platform. On January 19, 2022, a search was performed on YouTube (www.youtube.com) with the keywords ‘small incision lenticule extraction’, ‘SMILE refractive surgery’, and ‘ReLex SMILE Surgery’. The default search option was “sort videos by relevance”. The duration of videos (seconds), the number of views, the source of videos (surgeons/medical organizations-health channels/patients-others), the number of subscribers, the number of likes and dislikes, like ratio (like × 100/[like + dislike]), the number of comments, the time since upload date (days), the video content (surgery/theoretical information), the content of surgical videos (real surgery/animation), mode of expression (verbal narration/subtitle), and the presence of a conflict of interest (yes/no) were recorded. The videos were blindly evaluated by two refractive surgeons (SA and AK) using DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the Global Quality Score (GQS). A total of 101 videos were analyzed, 38 (37.6%) of which were uploaded by surgeons. The mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS were 37.73 ± 7.49; 1.90 ± 0.57; and 2.20 ± 0.73, respectively. The JAMA score, GQS, and video duration were all significantly correlated with the DISCERN score. The GQS was significantly correlated with all parameters except the JAMA score. Overall, SMILE surgery videos on the YouTube platform may provide cursory information to non-ophthalmologists; however, when the videos are evaluated using tools such as DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS, they are of low quality in terms of refractive surgery education for ophthalmologists. Experts should evaluate and review content uploaded to websites such as YouTube.

Purpose This study seeks to evaluate the quality and reliability of information regarding de Quervain's tenosynovitis on YouTube. Materials and Methods A search on the YouTube was performed using the keywords de Quervain's tenosynovitis , and the first 50 videos were evaluated. Video characteristics including views, content type, and video upload source were recorded. Video reliability was assessed using the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA ) benchmark criteria. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS) and a novel de Quervain's Tenosynovitis-Specific Score (DQT-SS). Results The total number of views for all videos evaluated was 5,508,498 (mean, 110,169.96 ± 155,667.07). Video reliability and quality metrics were low, with a mean JAMA score of 2.17 ± 0.82 out of 4, a mean GQS of 2.49 ± 1.28 out of 5, and a mean DQT-SS of 4.53 ± 2.35 out of 11. Significant between-group effects were found for the video source and DQT-SS ( p = 0.027), as well as between content type and JAMA score ( p = 0.027), GQS ( p = 0.003), and DQT-SS ( p = 0.003). Positive independent predictors of DQT-SS included video duration in seconds (β = 0.391) and disease-specific information content type (β = 0.648). Conclusion Videos on YouTube regarding de Quervain's tenosynovitis were frequently viewed; however, the information present was of low quality and reliability. Physician-uploaded videos had the highest mean JAMA scores, GQS, and DQT-SS, but had the second-lowest mean number of views of video sources. Patients should receive proper in-office education and be directed toward reputable resources for their orthopaedic conditions.