Patient Education Information Research Articles

A quality and readability comparison of artificial intelligence and popular health website education materials for common hand surgery procedures

IntroductionChatGPT and its application in producing patient education materials for orthopedic hand disorders has not been extensively studied. This study evaluated the quality and readability of educational information pertaining to common hand surgeries from patient education websites and information produced by ChatGPT. MethodsPatient education information for four hand surgeries (carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, Dupuytren’s contracture, and ganglion cyst surgery) was extracted from ChatGPT (at a scientific and fourth-grade reading level), WebMD, and Mayo Clinic. In a blinded and randomized fashion, five fellowship-trained orthopaedic hand surgeons evaluated the quality of information using a modified DISCERN criteria. Readability and reading grade level were assessed using Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) equations. ResultsThe Mayo Clinic website scored higher in terms of quality for carpal tunnel release information (p = 0.004). WebMD scored higher for Dupuytren’s contracture release (p < 0.001), ganglion cyst surgery (p = 0.003), and overall quality (p < 0.001). ChatGPT - 4th Grade Reading Level, ChatGPT - Scientific Reading Level, WebMD, and Mayo Clinic written materials on average exceeded recommended reading grade levels (4th–6th grade) by at least four grade levels (10th, 14th, 13th, and 11th grade, respectively). ConclusionsChatGPT provides inferior education materials compared to patient-friendly websites. When prompted to provide more easily read materials, ChatGPT generates less robust information compared to patient-friendly websites and does not adequately simplify the educational information. ChatGPT has potential to improve the quality and readability of patient education materials but currently, patient-friendly websites provide superior quality at similar reading comprehension levels.

An innovative method to identify educational need regarding depression and anxiety as an under-recognised side effect of anti-TNF medicines

Abstract Introduction Depression and anxiety (D&amp;A) in chronic autoimmune conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and Psoriasis (PsO) is common, with patients twice as likely to suffer from it.1 Biologic medicines are increasingly used in autoimmune conditions and are prescribed only by secondary care. Patients initiated on biologic medicines, specifically anti-TNF, can report depression and anxiety as related side effects listed as common in the summary of product characteristics2,3 and may not get investigated for this side effect when visiting GP practices and hospital reviews. This could lead to unnecessary use of psychological or psychopharmacological treatment and a poor patient experience of biologics therapies. Aim To explore healthcare professionals’ understanding of the potential adverse effects of anti-TNF medicines including D&amp;A symptoms in patients who present to primary care. Methods A Twitter poll was used on the social media platform Twitter to raise the question; ‘GP’s, practice nurses and pharmacists, if your patient with IBD, RA, PsA, PsO etc. presents with symptoms of depression, do you check if they are prescribed a hospital only biologic such as anti-TNF (depression listed as a common side effect) as a possible cause?’. The Likert scale, Always, Sometimes, Never, Didn’t occur to me was used to elicit answers. The question was open for a 3 day window in May 2021, and then repeated in February 2022. A national webinar (advertised for anyone to attend) was held to present these results, and two further questions were asked of the participants using Slido; ‘are you surprised at this figure of 60%?’ and ‘do you think that something needs to be done about this?’ with a yes or no response option. Ethical approval was not required for this service evaluation. Results The results from the Twitter poll in May 2021, had 38 votes, the summary of the responses were 2(5%) [Always], 5 (13%) [Sometimes], 8 (21%) [Never] and 23 (61%) [Didn’t occur to me]. Results from the second poll in February 2022 had 217 votes and responses were 27(12%) [Always], 33(15%) [Sometimes], 23(10%) [Never] and 134(63%) [Didn’t occur to me]. Of the 150 people who attended the webinar, 99 (66%) were not surprised and 100% thought something needs to be done about it. Discussion/Conclusion This innovative if not scientific method (Twitter and Slido) of surveying HCPs, identified a considerable lack of awareness of the D&amp;A side effects of biologics and uncovered a gap in monitoring of vulnerable patients. This suggests the need for education of HCPs about this issue. Awareness can also be increased through patient education, appropriate counselling, and patient information leaflets. Empowering patients to ask if the hospital prescribed medication is on their GP medication list and a potential cause. Twitter is a novel way to gain insight from colleagues, however responses from HCPs only are not guaranteed. This approach is a model to scope feasibility of projects, but only captures users of Twitter and is dependent on the size of the individual’s network and level of engagement by retweeting.

Sickle cell disease: embedding patient participation into an international conference can transform the role of lived experience

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited chronic life-threatening disorder with increasing prevalence in Europe. People living with SCD in Europe mainly belong to vulnerable minorities, have a lower level of health education and suffer from isolation compared to those living with other chronic conditions. As a result, SCD patients are much less likely to partner in the design of research related to their condition and are limited in their ability to influence the research agenda. Aiming to increase the influence of patient voice in the development of SCD-related research, we set out to develop patient centered actions in the frame of International Scientific Conferences in collaboration with the ERN-EuroBloodNet, Oxford Blood Group, Annual Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia Conference (ASCAT), the European Hematology Association and the British Society of Hematology.ResultsTwo events were organized: a one-day research prioritization workshop and a series of education sessions based on topics chosen by SCD patients and their families. Methodology and outcomes were analyzed in terms of influence on scientific, medical and patient communities.ConclusionThe ERN-EuroBloodNet workshops with patients at annual ASCAT conferences have provided an opportunity to enhance patient experience and empowerment in SCD in Europe, producing benefits for patients, caregivers, patient associations and health professionals. Future work should focus on delivering the research questions identified at this workshop and the opportunities to share information for patient education.

Exercises for fibromyalgia syndrome: what YouTube tells us as a source of information for patient and physician education.

YouTube, a popular worldwide source to access health information online, may have an impact in enhancing exercise therapy for fibromyalgia patients. This study is aimed to investigate the quality and reliability of exercise videos prepared for fibromyalgia syndrome on YouTube. A thorough search on YouTube using six search terms related to fibromyalgia treatment and exercise was conducted. The videos with content on exercises for fibromyalgia, acceptable audio-video quality, and are in English language were included, whereas duplicates were excluded from the analysis. Quality was determined using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and JAMA system, and reliability using the mDISCERN criteria. Out of a total of 600 videos, 70 videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Physicians were found to produce content mostly in high and medium quality (%70.2), other medical professionals mostly in low and medium quality (93.8%), while non-medical users mostly in low quality (86.7%). Ninety percent of the videos targeted patients, while 10% targeted healthcare professionals as an audience, and the majority (93.7%) of videos targeting patients were of low and medium quality, as most (85.7%) of the videos targeting healthcare professionals were of high quality. YouTube can be used as a tool to increase exercise adherence in fibromyalgia patients, as it offers a wide range of content that is easily accessible and useful at times. To implement this tool, physicians need to upload more content online as they stand for pioneers of high-quality information dissemination on the internet. KeyPoints • This research emphasizes the need for high-quality online healthcare information which is accessed by a vast number of individuals and the implementations that effectively address and prevent the spread of misinformation. • Additionally, it presents suggestions for the future regarding the uploading of such content on the internet. • Physicians hold the key responsibility in ensuring the availability of high-quality online health content, thereby carrying significant implications for its overall impact.

Cannabis update: Anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The development of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is complex. Both delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are of potential therapeutic use. Evidence suggests that cannabis has a beneficial effect on neural circuitry involved in fear regulation. In the United States, cannabis is considered either medical or recreational and can contain pure THC or CBD or any combination thereof. The numerous cannabis compounds of various administration routes, with variable pharmacokinetics, further affect the cannabis conundrum. Despite being federally unregulated, medical cannabis has received increased attention socially, and at present, 37 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis for use in specific health conditions. Patients are increasingly inquiring about cannabis, and clinicians must educate themselves with reliable cannabinoid information for patient education. In adults with anxiety disorders and PTSD, evidence supports a relatively safe profile for medical cannabis; however, conclusive scientific evidential support of its therapeutic properties is limited, resulting in a lack of standardization and Food and Drug Administration approval.

Readability, Understandability, and Actionability of Online Limb Preservation Patient Education Materials

With countless sites detailing disease management, treatment, and prognosis, patients often turn to the internet for medical decision-making assistance. While such sites provide ample patient education material, little is known about the reading level, understandability, and actionability of information on these sites. In a limb preservation population, assessing what information patients are interpreting becomes vital to ensure care is not compromised. Internet searches of the terms “Charcot foot, diabetic foot ulcer, foot ulcer, critical limb ischemia, gangrene, osteomyelitis, lymphedema, DVT, pulmonary thrombosis, and amputation” were performed. The Flesch Kincaid readability score from the text from the first 10 links with patient education information were calculated. Understandability and actionability of each resource were then graded by 2 reviewers. Across the 100 accessed websites, 10% maintained patient education materials with at least one readability score at or below the recommended sixth grade reading level. Seventy-three percent of the materials revealed an understanding greater than the recommended 70%. Ninety-nine percent of materials maintained patient education materials with actionability less than 70%. The Spearman Rho correlation revealed a statistically significant relationship between understandability score and the order of each keyword's respective website search position (Rho = −0.01; p = .002). Overall, many online limb preservation patient education materials are written well above the recommended sixth grade reading level with varying understandability and actionability scores. Online resources, as well as physician offices, should examine their patient education materials to ensure they are of an appropriate reading level and provide actions to be taken in case of emergencies.

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strengthening our Commitment to Eye Care

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strengthening our Commitment to Eye Care

Patient education information material assessment criteria: A scoping review.

Patient education information material (PEIM) is an essential component of patient education programs in increasing patients' ability to cope with their diseases. Therefore, it is essential to consider the criteria that will be used to prepare and evaluate these resources. This paper aims to identify these criteria and recognize the tools or methods used to evaluate them. National and international databases and indexing banks, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, Magiran, SID and ISC, were searched for this review. Original or review articles, theses, short surveys, and conference papers published between January 1990 and June 2022 were included. Overall, 4688 documents were retrieved, of which 298 documents met the inclusion criteria. The criteria were grouped into 24 overarching criteria. The most frequently used criteria were readability, quality, suitability, comprehensibility and understandability. This review has provided empirical evidence to identify criteria, tools, techniques or methods for developing or evaluating a PEIM. The authors suggest that developing a comprehensive tool based on these findings is critical for evaluating the overall efficiency of PEIM using effective criteria.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Cleft Lip and Palate Websites and Patient Education Information.

The objective of this study is to evaluate online educational resources on cleft lip and palate teams. A Cross-Sectional Study. An International, Multi-Institutional Study. All American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association-approved teams with websites. None. Websites were assessed for patient education and support content. Affiliation between presence of materials and U.S. Newsweek Top 100 Hospitals was also assessed. 187 teams were included. Presence of educational videos were available in 29.4% of websites, educational infographics in 18.2%, written materials in 66.8%, perioperative instructions in 19.3%, diagnosis information in 34.8% and treatment information in 63.1%. Information on team members were available on 77.0% of websites, resources in languages other than English in 38.5%, and support group resources in 25.7%. Cleft lip and palate diagnosis information was significantly associated with geographic region, with the largest impact from the West region (P = .03). There was a significant difference between teams affiliated with U.S. Newsweek Top 100 hospitals: Top 100 hospitals had a higher presence of educational infographics, perioperative instructions, definitions, diagnosis, and treatment (P < .01). There was no significant difference between presence of educational videos (P = .37). While many websites had basic educational materials, very few included detailed information on peri-operative planning, as well as additional forms of information including videos, infographics, and non-English languages. Providing comprehensive patient education materials online is an important supplement for patients with cleft lip and palate and should be prioritized by cleft teams.

Analysis of Trustworthiness and Readability of English and Spanish Hypo- and Hyperthyroid-Related Online Patient Education Information.

This study aims to determine the readability and trustworthiness of English and Spanish hypo- and hyperthyroid-related online information. Google searches were conducted for four search terms: hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease, hyperthyroidism, and Graves' Disease. For each search term, the first 10 websites were analyzed with a total of 40 websites analyzed. Readability formulas were used to determine English and Spanish readability. Trustworthiness was determined using HONcode status, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and NLM Trustworthy Score. Overall readability largely exceeded recommended grade levels. Only 1 website (2.5%) presented information below the eighth-grade reading level based on overall Readability Consensus score, while 31 websites (77.5%) exceeded this threshold for all measures. The mean (SD) English readability grade level was 9.6 (3.44); the mean (SD) Spanish grade was 8.5 (4.58). No significant relationships were found between the JAMA Benchmark Criteria, NLM Trustworthy Score, HONcode status, and readability. 67.5% of websites analyzed (n = 27) were certified with the Health on the Net Foundation's code of conduct. Websites about common thyroid-related conditions have overall poor readability. The availability of resources for Spanish-speaking patients is also poor. Steps should be taken to ensure that online health-related materials are comprehensible. Physicians should recognize that patients may have few trustworthy and easy-to-understand sources to access information. The readability and trustworthiness of sources should be considered when providing patients suggested sources for further reading. It may be particularly helpful for physicians to utilize websites with favorable readability scores such as the American Thyroid Association website.

Telehealth Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases Patients: A Quantitative Study

Telehealth provides medical treatment, patient education, self-care, and health information using digital communication technology. Telehealth involves remote data exchange between a patient and a healthcare provider. Telehealth may enhance health care in underdeveloped countries. This research examines how Pakistani physicians and nurses see telemedicine for cardiovascular disease therapy. We employed non-probability sampling to pick respondents for this quantitative investigation. In this research, 30 individuals completed a well-designed questionnaire. 63 percent were male, 37 percent female. The researchers concluded that telemedicine intervention is useful for cardiovascular disease and possibly many other illnesses and ailments. These findings did not prove it was always useful. International NGOs are helping telehealth expand. These organisations help poor rural Pakistanis improve their health. Telehealth and personal health information has spread via electronic and social media. Telehealth helps battle cardiovascular problems by connecting patients in urban and rural Pakistan to competent hospitals and institutes. Telehealth may reduce patient wait times. Telehealth platform users who continuously address their particular health challenges may outperform the overall population, according to the research. Telehealt make treatment easier and more accessible for patients. There aren't enough physicians, nurses, hospital beds, specialists, or appointments on patients' chosen

Divertikelkrankheit: Patientenmanagement in hausärztlichen Praxen in Deutschland

The symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is often difficult to treat and guidelines only provide few evidence-based treatment options. For the German-wide survey, a questionnaire was sent to 13790 physicians. It contained questions concerning the status of medical care for patients with diverticula and queried their individual option in regards to current treatment options and challenges for the daily medical routine. In total, 526 questionnaires were sent back for analysis. The biggest challenge for doctors handling patients with chronic diverticular disease (SUDD) is to make the correct diagnosis (17%) and the distinction to the irritable bowel syndrome (22%). Despite the high abundance of SUDD pathology, only 6% of the medical practitioners feel themselves sufficiently informed about it. The support for general practitioners by medical specialists (gastroenterologists) is limited: In the case of a SUDD or a diverticulitis diagnosis, the physicians sometimes receive an acute therapy plan (27%), but rarely get recommendations for diverticulitis pre- and post-care (11% and 18%), or assisting information for patient education (4%). For primary prophylaxis for persons with asymptomatic diverticula, practitioners give nutrition (41%) and life style (37%) recommendations, as well as probiotics (18%). After an acute diverticulitis, 42% recommend life style and nutrition modifications and 26% the intake of probiotics. For the treatment of SUDD symptoms, they advise mostly life style and nutrition modifications (45%) and probiotics (30%). About 60% of the doctors are satisfied with the efficacy of probiotics. Another 15% stated that they have not yet used them to treat SUDD. The main reasons for it seem to be the lack of reimbursability for probiotics (31%), the poor adherence of patients to therapy (20%) due to the slow onset of positive effects, and the difficulty of finding an evidence-based probiotic (16%). In the daily medical routine the correct diagnosing of SUDD is a major challenge and supporting information by medical specialist is scarce. Physicians frequently choose life style and nutrition recommendations and the use of probiotics as treatment options. The majority of the general practitioners is thereby satisfied with the efficacy of probiotics for patients with chronic diverticular disease, even though the choice of an evidence-based probiotic is an obstacle.

The ABCs of a gynaecological teaching associate (GTA) programme

Gynaecological/Male Urogenital Teaching Associate (GTA/MUTA) methodology is considered the gold standard of invasive genital examination technique. Lay persons are trained in the technique of invasive genital examinations and patient-centred, trauma informed communication, and autonomously instruct learners on how to comfortably perform this examination using their own bodies as a teaching tool. GTAs/MUTAs function simultaneously as an autonomous instructor and a simulated patient during the exam. GTAs and MUTAs instruct clinical invasive examination techniques in a structured educational setting with a predetermined curriculum on which they have been trained, while letting learners perform these exam techniques on their bodies. Existing alternatives to GTA/MUTA education include the use of anesthetized patients, cadavers, plastic anatomical models (task trainers) and/or voluntary examinations on peers. There are unique benefits to the GTA/MUTA programme from both an institutional and learner perspective. Learner’s benefits unique to GTA/MUTA education include decreased learner anxiety [1], immediate feedback on examination technique with regard to patient’s physical comfort, and the opportunity to practise patient communication skills while performing such examinations. Institutional benefits unique to GTA/MUTA methodology are that after the initial setup cost, funds are saved removing the need for faculty to perform the examination instruction. Learner proficiency is higher compared to learners taught by physicians [1], and increased proficiency saves time and cost associated with learners being taken off clinical rotation to receive supplemental genital examination technique instruction. The use of simultaneous patient-instructors also introduces ‘elements of sensitivity and humanism’ to the examination [2] by having students learn to involve their patient and incorporate their perspective with regard to comfort and patient education information. By learning this examination from GTAs/MUTAs, a new model of physician patient relationship is taught, with GTAs/MUTAs functioning as informed collaborators rather than docile, uninformed patients [3]. In order to implement such a programme in an institution, among the first tasks is to obtain funding. This funding can be sought from grants or via institutional funds. Institutions may even choose to grow their GTA/MUTA programme to contract with outside institutions where this clinical examination instruction is needed. Other preparatory steps include establishing a curriculum, observing an established GTA/MUTA programme session to assess the format, and recruitment and training of GTAs and MUTAs. Once the programme is established, a clinical skills training day may be implemented. Implementing such a programme improves the learners’ experience and provides them with an increased understanding of sound technique that will benefit their patients in the long term. 1. Theroux R, Pearce C. Graduate students’ experiences with standardized patients as adjuncts for teaching pelvic examinations. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2006;18(9):429–35. 2. Kretzschmar RM. Evolution of the Gynecology Teaching Associate: an education specialist. American Journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 1978;131(4):367–73. 3. Underman K. Feeling Medicine: How the Pelvic Exam Shapes Medical Training. New York, New York University Press; 2020.

Quality of Life of Patients Treated with Radiotherapy in an Upper Middle-Income Country

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> The utility of quality-of-life (QoL) measurements in daily clinical practice of cancer patients has been shown to influence decision making in 30.1% of medical interventions and in 63.2% of non-medical interventions. The purpose of our study was to assess the QoL of patients treated with radiotherapy at an upper middle-income country (UMIC). <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Fifty-five patients that were treated with 3D-conformal, Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy techniques from September 2021 to December 2021(four months). QoL was assessed using (QLQ-C30) in Spanish with the permission from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). This was administered in-person before radiotherapy (RT) and six weeks after treatment via phone. A linear transformation to standardize the raw score was applied according to the EORTC QLC-30 Scoring Manual. Data analysis was performed using Stata 12 to compare the global health status, functional scale, symptom scale, mean scores and standard deviations with the EORTC Reference Values for cancer patients. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 55 patients treated with RT, 42 (76.4%) were female, 35 (63.6%) were ≥50 years old, with most being diagnosed with cervical (32.7%) and breast cancer (14.5%). Compared with the pre-RT scores at 6 weeks after RT completion, patients had a significant increase in their global health status from 62.2 to 71.78 compared to the baseline assessment (p value 0.06). Emotional functioning, fatigue, pain and insomnia showed no significant differences compared to before treatment. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Further studies are needed in UMICs to understand how patient education and pretreatment information can help patients undergoing radiation therapy to cope with the process of therapy to better estimate predictors of quality of life after radiation therapy, and to see if patient reported QoL recovers over time at different timeline.

YouTube as a source of (mis)information on allergic rhinitis

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis is a very common chronic condition that affects nearly one-quarter of the adult population worldwide. The optimal management of allergic rhinitis includes useful information on several aspects of the condition. Social media and online platforms are increasingly being used to obtain health-related information. ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate and evaluate the popularity and usefulness of YouTube videos on allergic rhinitis. MethodsOut of 225 screened videos, 86 met the inclusion criteria. A scoring scheme was designed to evaluate and rate the content of the extracted data. Data on views, likes, dislikes, and comments were extracted, and data on the source of uploader, duration, and content quality were recorded. ResultsA total of 43% of the videos were classified as useful, 36% as misleading, and 21% as neither useful nor misleading. Although professional health care providers uploaded two-thirds of the videos, they accounted for only 24.4% of the total videos. Videos uploaded by television shows and YouTube channels had by far the most user interaction, accounting for 66.9% of the total likes, 66.8% of the total dislikes, and 54.0% of the total comments. This source alone accounted for 23.4% of the total views, but for 48% of the total misleading videos. ConclusionThe usefulness of YouTube videos on allergic rhinitis is varying and less than half of the videos provided useful information. If the proper conditions are met, selected YouTube videos on allergic rhinitis can be used as a source of information for patient education.

Development of inflammatory bowel disease patient education and medical information sheets: serving an unmet need.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that necessitates life‐long healthcare engagement and management. Empowering patients with knowledge is fundamental to enhance health literacy, improve health outcomes and facilitate complex decision‐making regarding medication and potential surgery. A working group was formed to develop concise, comprehensive patient information sheets to meet this unmet need in the Australian setting.

YouTube as a source of patient education information for elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries: a quality control content analysis.

BackgroundWhile online orthopedic resources are becoming an increasingly popular avenue for patient education, videos on YouTube are not subject to peer review. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the quality of YouTube videos for patient education in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the elbow.MethodsA search of keywords for UCL injury was conducted through the YouTube search engine. Each video was categorized by source and content. Video quality, reliability, and accuracy were assessed by two independent raters using five metrics: (1) Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria (range 0–4) for video reliability; (2) modified DISCERN score (range 1–5) for video reliability; (3) Global Quality Score (GQS; range 1–5) for video quality; (4) ulnar collateral ligament-specific score (UCL-SS; range 0–16), a novel score for comprehensiveness of health information presented; and (5) accuracy score (AS; range 1-3) for accuracy.ResultsVideo content was comprised predominantly of disease-specific information (52%) and surgical technique (33%). The most common video sources were physician (42%) and commercial (23%). The mean JAMA score, modified DISCERN score, GQS, UCL-SS, and AS were 1.8, 2.4, 1.9, 5.3, and 2.7 respectively.ConclusionsOverall, YouTube is not a reliable or high-quality source for patients seeking information regarding UCL injuries, especially with videos uploaded by non-physician sources. The multiplicity of low quality, low reliability, and irrelevant videos can create a cumbersome and even inaccurate learning experience for patients.

Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis videos on YouTube: Are they a good source of information?

BackgroundYouTube has been increasingly used as a source of information by patients in the field of health, but many studies revealed poor information quality. This study evaluated the content and quality of YouTube videos on Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis (TMJA) as an information resource for patients. Material and methodsYouTube search with the two keywords “temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis” and “temporomandibular joint lavage” was performed. The first 160 videos were listed for each term according to relevancy. Results were assessed for inclusion and categorized for source, purpose, target, arthrocentesis method described, and the narrator of the videos. An evaluation was performed independently by two oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The quality of videos was analyzed for the content and defined as poor, moderate, and excellent. DISCERN was also performed by scoring between 0 and 5. ResultsA total of 43 videos were evaluated. The most upload source was individual users (46.5%) and the most video upload purpose was information for professionals (37.2%). The method with the most information about was the two-needle technic, which had a rate of 44.2 percent. The average usefulness score of the videos was 3.00 and 57.1% of the videos resulted in poor quality. A statistically significant positive high correlation was found between DISCERN and usefulness scoring (r = 0.793; p < 0.001). ConclusionThe majority of YouTube videos are of poor quality and this situation affects the patients' decisions about treatment. Health professionals should be aware of the content on YouTube and produce high-quality, accurate, and up-to-date information for patient education.

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

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

Readability of patient educational materials in venous thrombosis: analysis of the 2021 ESVS guidelines and comparison with other medical societies information.

In order for patients to comprehend health related information, it must be written at a level that can be readily understood by the intended population. During 2021 the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) published a sub-section about information for patients into its Guidelines on the Management of Venous Thrombosis. Nine readability measures were used to evaluate the patient educational material regarding venous thrombosis published by seven medical societies: ESVS, Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM), Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland (VS), Australia and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS), Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) and American Heart Association (AHA). The mean reading grade level (RGL) for all the 58 recommendations was 10.61 (range 6.4-14.5) and the mean Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) was 56.10 (51.3-62.9), corresponding to a "fairly difficult" reading level. The mean RGL of the ESVS recommendations (11.45, 95% CI, 9.90-13.00) was significantly higher than the others. Post-hoc analysis determined a significant difference between the ESVS and the SVS (10.86, 95% CI, 9.84-11.91) recommendations (P=0.005). All the patient's education information published by the medical societies presented a RGL higher than recommended. The fifteen sub-sections of the information for patients included into the ESVS clinical guidelines presented a mean RGL above 9.5 points, revealing that no one (0%) was written at or below the recommended GRL. The mean FRE was 47.63 (28.2-61.6), corresponding to a "difficult" reading level. Venous thrombosis patient educational materials produced by leading medical societies have readability scores that are above the recommended levels. The innovative patient's information included into the ESVS venous thrombosis guidelines represents an important advance in the amelioration of the medical information for patients, but their readability should be improved to adapt the understanding to the general population.