Quality and reliability of cancer pain management information on short-video platforms in China: a cross-sectional content analysis

Short video platforms in China have evolved into primary digital health information channels. Their algorithm-driven ecosystems raise important questions about the quality and dissemination of specialized medical content, such as cancer pain management. This study aimed to assess the information quality and analyze the relationship between quality indicators and user engagement metrics for cancer pain-related content on two major Chinese short-video platforms, Douyin and Red Note. A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted. The top 100 videos for the search terms “cancer pain” and “cancer pain management” were retrieved from each platform on a single date (November 15, 2025). After screening, 194 videos were included. Information quality was evaluated using the JAMA benchmark criteria, the Global Quality Score (GQS), and a modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) tool. Engagement data (likes, comments, saves, shares), uploader profiles, and content themes were systematically extracted. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation. Medical professionals were the predominant uploader group (80.4%, 156/194). The median JAMA, mDISCERN, and GQS scores were 3.0, 2.0, and 3.0, respectively, indicating moderate overall information quality with limited reliability. Douyin videos showed significantly higher engagement than Red Note videos (e.g., median likes: 179.0 vs. 13.0, P < 0.001). No significant correlations were observed between JAMA or mDISCERN scores and engagement metrics, whereas GQS showed only weak positive correlations. Treatment-related content was the most frequently represented topic (58.8%). Cancer pain-related short videos on Douyin and Red Note showed moderate overall quality but limited reliability. Engagement metrics were only weakly associated with quality scores and may also be influenced by multiple factors beyond information quality. Improving the transparency, reliability, and visibility of cancer pain-related information, while supporting healthcare professionals in developing more accessible evidence-based digital content, may help improve public access to reliable cancer pain information and enhance public engagement.