Evaluation of YouTube Videos on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: As in every field, online information has become increasingly used in health. However, it is well known that some information online containing health advice is incorrect and may even include false statements. For this reason, it is crucial for public health that individuals reach reliable, high-quality resources when they are trying to obtain health information. Studies have been conducted on the quality and reliability of online information about many diseases, but no similar study has been found in the literature on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this descriptive study, videos on YouTube (www.youtube.com) about HCC were evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the modified DISCERN tool. Results: While 129 (89.58%) of the videos examined within the study were considered useful, 15 (10.42%) were misleading. The GQS scores of the videos considered useful were significantly higher than the scores of the misleading videos, with a median (min–max) score of 4 (2–5) (P < 0.001). When we compared the DISCERN scores, the scores of the useful videos were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the scores of the misleading videos. Conclusion: YouTube should be considered a complex structure where accurate and reliable health information can be presented, as well as erroneous and misleading information. Users should understand the importance of video sources and focus their research on videos from doctors, academics, and universities.