Assessment of the quality and reliability of YouTube videos related to teleradiology in musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study

Teleradiology, the remote evaluation of medical images using digital communication technologies, has altered healthcare delivery, particularly in musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders. This article aims to assess YouTube videos regarding teleradiology in these disorders. The video inspection was conducted on January 15, 2025, using the search terms "teleradiology musculoskeletal system," "teleradiology rheumatic diseases," "teleradiology rheumatology," and "teleradiology arthritis".A total of 200 videos were evaluated. Total views, likes and comments, video duration, time since upload, and daily engagement metrics were recorded. The videos were categorized based on their origin. The evaluation tools utilized to analyze each video were the Global Quality Scale (GQS), Modified DISCERN Questionnaire, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials (PEMAT-A/V). Of the 44 videos, 20.4% (n = 9) were of low quality, 27.3% (n = 12) were of intermediate quality, and 52.3% (n = 23) were of high quality. Physicians (81.8%) and nonprofit organizations (66.7%) were the predominant producers of high-quality videos. In contrast, health-related websites (29.4%) and nonacademic healthcare institutions (28.6%) constituted the primary sources of poor content. The quality groups showed significant differences in daily views and likes (p < 0.05), with high-quality videos receiving the highest engagement. Significant correlations were detected between video duration and content assessment tools (p < 0.01). The current results emphasize the need to select high-quality videos from reliable sources such as physicians and nonprofit organizations. Considering YouTube's extensive use as a source of medical information, it is essential to advocate for expert-driven, high-quality content to augment its educational efficacy.