YouTube as a source of patient information for meningitis: A content-quality and audience engagement analysis.

OBJECTIVES

Now that the internet is more accessible to an increasing number of populations worldwide, many rely on the internet for their information about their daily lives. This includes people concerned about their health to students to sometimes also doctors. Since YouTube is the second most visited website, our aim was to evaluate the content-quality of YouTube videos relating to meningitis.

METHODS

We chose the first 30 videos for four different search phrases: meningitis, bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, fungal meningitis and meningitis signs. The validated DISCERN scoring criteria was used to assess the videos by two raters independently. Qualitative data, quantitative data and the source of upload of each video were analyzed for video quality and audience engagement.

RESULTS

Out of 150 videos, 84 videos met the inclusion criteria. The mean DISCERN score was 34.6 ± 9.76 (out of a total 75), which indicates that the quality of YouTube videos on meningitis is poor. There is an excellent reliability between the two raters. Videos had a higher audience engagement via a greater number of daily views and comments when they included the definition, symptoms, prognosis, animation, diagrams, and an anatomical explanation of the meninges (P < 0.0001 for all).

CONCLUSION

The quality of YouTube videos on meningitis is poor, however, we have listed the videos which may be most effective for patient education for reference. Our quality and engagement analysis may help content creators make better health content on meningitis.