Objective validation of YouTube\u2122 educational videos for the instruction of regional anesthesia nerve blocks: a novel approach

George L Tewfik,Adam N Work,Steven M Shulman,Patrick Discepola

doi:10.1186/s12871-020-01084-w

George L Tewfik, Adam N Work + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-020-01084-w

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Journal: BMC anesthesiology	Publication Date: Jul 9, 2020
Citations: 9	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Abstract

BackgroundYouTube™ (“YouTube”) is often used as an educational tool to instruct anesthesia providers on regional anesthesia nerve blocks. However, there is no current objective standard to assess the educational quality of these user-uploaded videos. A new approach was used to objectively validate these videos by comparing them to high quality educational sources for the seven most commonly used nerve blocks.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the educational quality of user-uploaded videos when compared to the highest quality anesthesia society websites (NYSORA, ACEP, USRA).MethodsAfter reviewing the instructional material available for the seven most frequently conducted nerve blocks on high-quality reference websites, we documented the educational characteristics present including such things as indications, volume, anatomy, etc. Next we reviewed the five most popular videos on YouTube for each block (by views) and documented the presence or absence of these educational characteristics.ResultsEighteen educational characteristics were documented in the “high-quality” anesthesia society reference material. Correlation was sought between this material and YouTube videos. Although there were varying degrees of correlation between the high quality sources and the videos, rarely did YouTube videos contain as high a percentage of these educational characteristics as the well-established sources. Some videos contained very few of these important educational characteristics.ConclusionAlthough YouTube has been used an educational tool, we recommend that only high quality sources be used to teach or illustrate regional anesthesia nerve blocks.

Highlights

YouTubeTM (“YouTube”) is often used as an educational tool to instruct anesthesia providers on regional anesthesia nerve blocks
YouTube has been used an educational tool, we recommend that only high quality sources be used to teach or illustrate regional anesthesia nerve blocks
The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was omitted for statistical calculations for American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), as they did not provide any instructional content for this particular block

Summary

Introduction

YouTubeTM (“YouTube”) is often used as an educational tool to instruct anesthesia providers on regional anesthesia nerve blocks. A new approach was used to objectively validate these videos by comparing them to high quality educational sources for the seven most commonly used nerve blocks. Numerous medical procedures and clinical skills instructional videos can be found quickly, changing the landscape of medical education [2, 4]. Students and providers alike are turning to social media platforms to augment classroom learning and refresh clinical skills [3, 4]. While access to these videos is nearly instantaneous, every piece of content must be used with the awareness that it is often neither peer reviewed nor certified for accuracy [2,3,4]. Tewfik et al BMC Anesthesiology (2020) 20:168 many YouTube videos providing misinformation have been reported, leading to potential dangers to patients, and compromising providers’ credibility if used as the sole source of information [1, 5, 6]

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Discussion

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