Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Nov;308(5):1515-1524.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-07172-9. Epub 2023 Aug 12.

Hysteroscopy in the new media: quality and reliability analysis of hysteroscopy procedures on YouTube™

Alessandro Libretti  1   2 , Salvatore Giovanni Vitale  3 , Stefania Saponara  4 , Christian Corsini  5   6 , Carmen Imma Aquino  1   2 , Federica Savasta  1   2 , Eleonora Tizzoni  7 , Libera Troìa  1   2 , Daniela Surico  1   2 , Stefano Angioni  4 , Valentino Remorgida  1   2
Affiliations

Hysteroscopy in the new media: quality and reliability analysis of hysteroscopy procedures on YouTube™

Alessandro Libretti et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Hysteroscopy plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing various intrauterine pathologies. However, its execution can be influenced by patients' perception and understanding, which are often shaped by digital resources such as YouTubeTM. Given its popularity and accessibility, YouTubeTM has the potential to greatly influence patients' knowledge and expectations about this procedure, highlighting the need for accurate and reliable information.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the reliability and quality of hysteroscopy information available to patients on YouTubeTM. Understanding the nature of information patients' access can help address their fears and potential misunderstandings about the procedure, consequently reducing the likelihood of suspension or postponement due to anxiety.

Methods: A comprehensive analysis of YouTubeTM was conducted, simulating the search process of a patient seeking information about hysteroscopy. The study evaluated the reliability and quality of 90 out of the first 100 hysteroscopy-related videos on YouTubeTM, scored by four gynecologists-two experienced hysteroscopists and two trainees. The videos were assessed for reliability and quality using the mDISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS) scores.

Results: The average mDISCERN and GQS scores for the evaluated videos were below the optimal three points, highlighting the lack of fluency, comprehensiveness, and reliability of the available information. Notably, while videos produced by experts, including doctors and professional channels, had higher scores, they still fell short of the minimum score of 3. These videos also were not considered more suitable for either patients or trainees. Videos that were assessed as reliable (mDISCERN ≥ 3) were observed to be longer and were more frequently produced by doctors. These videos were suggested more to trainees rather than patients. Similarly, videos deemed as fluent and comprehensive (GQS ≥ 3) were longer and were more often recommended to patients.

Conclusions: While YouTubeTM is a widely used source of medical information, the quality and reliability of hysteroscopy videos on the platform are poor. The strategic use of selected, high-quality hysteroscopy videos can enhance procedure success and alleviate patient fears. However, the unsupervised discovery of information by patients could potentially lead to procedure failure or an elevated level of stress due to misleading or incorrect information.

Keywords: GQS; Hysteroscopy; Web information; YouTube; mDISCERN.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Methodology of selection of YouTube™ videos
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Powell J, Inglis N, Ronnie J, Large S. The characteristics and motivations of online health information seekers: cross-sectional survey and qualitative interview study. J Med Internet Res. 2011;13:e20. doi: 10.2196/JMIR.1600. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bundorf MK, Wagner TH, Singer SJ, Baker LC. Who searches the internet for health information? Health Serv Res. 2006;41:819–836. doi: 10.1111/J.1475-6773.2006.00510.X. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Rice RE. Influences, usage, and outcomes of Internet health information searching: multivariate results from the Pew surveys. Int J Med Inform. 2006;75:8–28. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2005.07.032. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Atkinson NL, Saperstein SL, Pleis J. Using the internet for health-related activities: findings from a national probability sample. J Med Internet Res. 2009;11:e4. doi: 10.2196/JMIR.1035. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Libretti A, Surico D, Corsini C, et al. YouTubeTM as a source of information on acupuncture for correction of breech presentation. Cureus. 2023;15:e35182. doi: 10.7759/CUREUS.35182. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources