Evaluation of YouTube as a Health Education Resource for Skin Graft Procedures

Recent studies indicate that YouTube has become a primary source of healthcare information for patients. Videos about Skin Graft Procedures (SGP) on YouTube have accumulated millions of views, yet there lacks a publication investigating the educational quality of this content. With current literature revealing misleading healthcare information found on YouTube, this study aims to evaluate the educational quality of videos related to SGP. YouTube was searched for various terms such as "Skin Graft Procedures" and "Skin Graft Surgery." One hundred and five videos were assessed, with 21 excluded. Four independent reviewers rated the material with the Global Quality Scale (GQS) (5 = highest quality, 1 = lowest quality) to judge educational value. Viewership, source, modality, and date of upload were also collected from each video and compiled for further analysis. The average GQS was 2.60 amongst all videos, with videos led by physicians recording significantly higher scores than those not led by physicians (P < .01). In comparing educational modalities, physician-led presentations provided the highest educational value, whereas live surgeries and consumer-friendly content contained low educational quality (P < .01). Assessing videos split into cohorts based on viewership noted a significantly higher GQS in videos with lower view counts (P < .05). Skin graft videos on YouTube largely provide low-quality information. Videos performed by physicians, particularly physician-led presentations, significantly improved the educational quality of skin graft content. Physicians must involve themselves in enhancing the quality of online content to better guide patients in navigating treatment options and making healthcare decisions.