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Is YouTube a high-quality source of information on cancer rehabilitation?

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Abstract

Background

Searching for information on the Internet, especially YouTubeTM, is gaining popularity for cancer survivors. Based on the topic of online health information, the importance of studies using YouTube data for various cancer types and treatment methods has increased. This study aims to investigate the quality, reliability, and accuracy of YouTube videos on cancer rehabilitation (CR).

Methods

YouTube search was performed on February 26th, 2021, with two keyword sets: “cancer rehabilitation” and “oncology rehabilitation.” The modified DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system, and the Global Quality Score (GQS) were used to evaluate the quality and reliability of the videos. The features of each video such as the number of likes, dislikes, and views, upload date, duration, like ratio, and the uploader profile were also collected.

Results

Fifty-three of the first 200 videos shown in the search results met the criteria. Most of the videos were low quality. The most common uploader profile was academic institute/university hospital. The three most common subjects in the videos were CR definition, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and patient experiences. The mean modified DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 2.14, 2.03, and 2.78, respectively. Higher quality videos had longer duration, greater number of views, and better reliability scores.

Conclusion

The results showed that most of the rated videos were of low-quality and didn’t provide sufficient information on the topic discussed. Higher-quality and more accurate YouTube videos are needed to increase awareness of CR.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

For cancer survivors, CR-related YouTube video content often provides information of low reliability. In this context, it is necessary to focus on the production of video content that includes clinical guides, references, and are based on clinical-based practices.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the patients who participated in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Science University, Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Selimiye, Tıbbiye Caddesi, Uskudar, 34668, Istanbul, Turkey

    Yeliz Bahar-Ozdemir & Tugba Ozsoy-Unubol

  2. Sante Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Fenerbahce, Fener Kalamis Cd. No:32, Kadıkoy, Istanbul, 34726, Turkey

    Gulseren Akyuz

Authors
  1. Yeliz Bahar-Ozdemir
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  2. Tugba Ozsoy-Unubol
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  3. Gulseren Akyuz
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Contributions

Study conception and design: YBO, TOU.

Acquisition of data: YBO, TOU.

Analysis and interpretation of data: YBO, TOU.

Drafting of manuscript: YBO.

Critical revision: GA, YBO.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yeliz Bahar-Ozdemir.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Bahar-Ozdemir, Y., Ozsoy-Unubol, T. & Akyuz, G. Is YouTube a high-quality source of information on cancer rehabilitation?. J Cancer Surviv 16, 1016–1022 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01093-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01093-9

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