Is YouTube a source of misinformation for pediatric surgeons? Post pandemic cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundOnline learning resources are a powerful tool in the modern post pandemic world. YouTube being regarded as the most go-to platform for everyone including the medical personnel, the question of how misleading it can be being a social platform with no scientific control on its content. Additionally, the website algorithm measures and promotes the video success based on viewers subjective opinion and interaction This study assesses the quality of laparoscopic orchiopexy YouTube videos using the LAP-VEGaS criteria and whether video popularity correlates with higher LAP-VEGaS scores. MethodsOn 15th of January 2023, a YouTube search was performed using the term “laparoscopic orchiopexy”. The search results were sorted by views and the top 60 videos were included. Exclusion criteria included being duplicated, animated, showing open orchiopexy, and a non-English language. YouTube video criteria were recorded (view count, time since upload (days), video length, number of comments, number of likes/dislikes, and country of origin and were subdivided into individually produced or academic. Videos were scored according to the LAP-VEGaS criteria. For comparison, a freely available peer-reviewed video on WebSurg, and an institutionally produced video by StayCurrent were scored and compared. ResultsForty-three videos met the inclusion criteria being uploaded from July 2006 to September 2020. India and Egypt contributed the most videos (67 % and 7 %, respectively), while European countries and the United States combined contributed about 10 %. YouTube videos scored 6.5/17 on average, much lower than their non-YouTube counterparts (WebSurg: 10/17, and StayCurrent: 11/17). However, the best YouTube video outscored them both with a total of 13/17. Video introduction was given the most attention by authors (mean score: 1.5/2), while educational content was rather neglected (mean score: 0.5/4). Nonetheless, there were significant positive correlations between most LAP-VEGaS subscales, and the videos’ popularity (measured by the Video Power Index). ConclusionSurgical education videos are important, especially in the context of Laparoscopic Orchiopexy. The use of YouTube as a source of education is promising but should be consumed with great caution and skepticism. There is a need for a platform for those working in surgical education that can empower the publishing of educational videos while providing adequate peer-review and production guidance. Level of EvidenceLevel III CompetenciesMedical knowledge, Practice-based learning, and improvement.