Quality and content assessment of short videos as sources of health information about gastroscopy in China: a cross-sectional study

Gastroscopy is pivotal in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disorders. The rise of short-video platforms has facilitated public access to information about gastroscopy; however, the overall quality of these videos remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and content of gastroscopy-related videos available on social media. Searches were conducted on Douyin, Bilibili, and Kuaishou using the Chinese term for “gastroscopy.” After screening, 274 videos were selected for analysis. Quantitative content analysis was performed using the modified DISCERN, GQS, and JAMA scoring systems. Medical professionals uploaded 59.9% of the videos, with Douyin having the highest proportion. Videos by medical professionals demonstrated higher reliability than those from non-medical sources. Moreover, videos on Bilibili had higher modified DISCERN and GQS scores, whereas videos on Douyin had the highest JAMA scores. Nonetheless, overall completeness and reliability were limited when evaluated against a comprehensive educational standard, as many videos omitted essential information on contraindications and postoperative precautions. Non-medical videos focused primarily on preoperative preparation and examination process, providing limited information on definition, contraindications, and postoperative precautions. In contrast, videos produced by medical professionals demonstrated consistency across the seven evaluated aspects, with a particular emphasis on the indications for gastroscopy. Correlation analysis indicated that the modified DISCERN score was negatively associated with likes, shares, collections, and comments; however, these associations should be interpreted cautiously, as engagement metrics may reflect factors beyond content quality. Conversely, the GQS score showed no significant correlation with these engagement metrics, while the JAMA score was only negatively correlated with comments. The completeness and reliability of information presented in gastroscopy‑related videos are generally limited when assessed as comprehensive patient‑education resources, and vary considerably across sources. Important topics, particularly contraindications and postoperative precautions, are frequently underrepresented. These findings highlight the need to improve the completeness and reliability of gastroscopy-related information on short-video platforms. Future research should explore strategies to optimize the quality and delivery of online medical content.