The aim of this study was to assess the quality, reliability and popularity of YouTube videos addressing strabismus. The authors searched YouTube using keywords of strabismus, squint, eye squint and crossed eye. The top 50 for each search were taken; 200 videos analysed. After exclusions 84 videos remained: 37 from USA, 23 from India, 20 from other countries and four unknown origin. Video publishers were patients (27) and ophthalmologists (24). Main video categories were patient experience (30) and patient information (22). The DISCERN scoring system was used for reliability and quality of information on treatment options. The JAMA scoring system was used for quality evaluation from health-related websites. The global quality scale was used to assess video content for quality of instruction aspects. All scales were significantly correlated with each other. Videos were found to provide only moderate information for strabismus. All scores reflected fair quality. Best scores were for videos from academic institutions and the lowest were for TV shows / YouTube channel videos. The popularity of videos was scored by the video power index (VPI) scale. This was negatively correlated with the quality scale scores. Ninety percent of patient experience videos had female adult patients which may reflect the aesthetic component associated with strabismus. The authors conclude that YouTube videos should not be considered a fully reliable source of information in the treatment of strabismus for patients.
YouTube videos for strabismus information
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Analysis of the quality, reliability and popularity of information on strabismus on YouTube.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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