Hillah Saffi1, Thien Phu Do1, Jakob Møller Hansen2, David W Dodick3, Messoud Ashina1. 1. Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, 70590Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Danish Headache Knowledge Center, 70590Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark. 3. Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: YouTube is the most widely used video hosting website in the world; however, the quality and reliability of information is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the content and distribution of the most popular videos on YouTube about migraine. METHODS: We searched for migraine-related videos on the online video hosting resource YouTube (http://youtube.com/). Two authors screened the titles and video descriptions independently for all videos with a view count of ≥ 10,000 views. For each video we recorded descriptive data, the source/author and the primary purpose/content. RESULTS: We identified 351 eligible videos. In total, there was more than 3 days of content viewed more than 163 million times. Only 9% of these videos were authored by healthcare professionals. The majority (44%) of videos focused on complementary and alternative medicine. DISCUSSION: YouTube provides a wide array of easily accessible information on migraine, ranging from authoritative sources to potentially questionable content. If used uncritically, this may result in inadequate clinical management. Peer-reviewed information on migraine mechanisms and treatment is needed to provide the best available evidence for the public and patients. Ideally, a professional society or foundation such as the International Headache Society would develop, curate, and distribute content.
INTRODUCTION: YouTube is the most widely used video hosting website in the world; however, the quality and reliability of information is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the content and distribution of the most popular videos on YouTube about migraine. METHODS: We searched for migraine-related videos on the online video hosting resource YouTube (http://youtube.com/). Two authors screened the titles and video descriptions independently for all videos with a view count of ≥ 10,000 views. For each video we recorded descriptive data, the source/author and the primary purpose/content. RESULTS: We identified 351 eligible videos. In total, there was more than 3 days of content viewed more than 163 million times. Only 9% of these videos were authored by healthcare professionals. The majority (44%) of videos focused on complementary and alternative medicine. DISCUSSION: YouTube provides a wide array of easily accessible information on migraine, ranging from authoritative sources to potentially questionable content. If used uncritically, this may result in inadequate clinical management. Peer-reviewed information on migraine mechanisms and treatment is needed to provide the best available evidence for the public and patients. Ideally, a professional society or foundation such as the International Headache Society would develop, curate, and distribute content.
Entities:
Keywords:
Digital; Twitter; advocacy; consumer health information; education; online; social media
Authors: Álvaro Reina-Varona; Borja Rodríguez de Rivera-Romero; Carlos Donato Cabrera-López; José Fierro-Marrero; Irene Sánchez-Ruiz; Roy La Touche Journal: PeerJ Date: 2022-09-30 Impact factor: 3.061