bims-librar 2025-03-02 papers

bims-librar

Biomed News

on Biomedical librarianship

Issue of 2025–03–02
27 papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

Public libraries and functional disability: A cohort study of Japanese older adults.
Work-Life Balance, Marginalized Communities and Patient Care: Showcasing Library Resources with Monthly Book Lists.
Libraries as Telehealth Hubs: Bridging the Digital Divide and Expanding Health care Access.
Missing references and citations at Google Scholar.
WHO Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy Portal.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery OrthoInfo provides more readable information regarding meniscus injury than ChatGPT-4 while information accuracy is comparable.
Evaluating the readability of online patient education materials on skin care in Mpox.
An evaluation of YouTube videos on glucose sensor devices and type 1 diabetes mellitus: User perceptions, device features, and content reliability.
Assessing the quality, reliability, and transparency of YouTube videos on spiritual palliative care: a content analysis.
"YouTube" for Surgical Training and Education in Donor Nephrectomy: Friend or Foe?
A Scoping Review of the Quality of Orthodontic Information on YouTube.
Impact of YouTube® videos on knowledge on tracheal intubation for anesthesiologist trainees: a prospective observational study.
YouTube as a Source of Information for Dietary Guidance and Advisory Content in the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
Quality and reliability evaluation of YouTube® exercises content for temporomandibular disorders.
An examination of the quality of kidney stone information on YouTube and TikTok.
Evaluating the quality and reliability of youtube videos on tympanostomy tubes: a comprehensive analysis for patients and parents.
A Quality Assessment of YouTube Videos on Chalazia: Implications for Patient Education and Healthcare Professional Involvement.
Response to: YouTube as a Source of Medical Information About Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.
Consumers' expected information search behavior for a pharmaceutical treatment.
Evaluating the Knowledge and Information-Seeking Behaviors of People Living With Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.
Speed and accuracy of online searches by legislators and medical students using RefBin's opioid use disorder database.
Assessing Online Material Related to Scoliosis: What Do Patients Want to Know?
Digital pathways to healthcare: a systematic review for unveiling the trends and insights in online health information-seeking behavior.
The Role of Family as a Source of Health Information Among College Students.
Leveraging ChatGPT to Produce Patient Education Materials for Common Hand Conditions.
Understanding TikTok's Role in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Education.
Chinese Named Entity Recognition for Automobile Fault Texts Based on External Context Retrieving and Adversarial Training.

SSM Popul Health. 2025 Mar;29 101762

Public libraries and functional disability: A cohort study of Japanese older adults.

Saeko Otani, Koryu Sato, Naoki Kondo.

  This study examined the association between the presence of public libraries and functional disability risk among community-dwelling older adults. We studied 73,138 participants aged 65 years or older in 19 Japanese municipalities using data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. They were physically and cognitively independent at baseline and followed up between 2013 and 2021 (mean follow-up: 7.3 years). The onset of functional disability was ascertained by linking participants to the public registries of long-term care insurance. The exposures were the number of library books and that of libraries per population in each municipality. During the study period, we observed 16,336 cases (22.3%) of functional disability onset. Our Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the number of library books (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-0.97) and that of libraries (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-1.00) were associated with the onset of functional disability. The association was consistent even after adjusting for individuals' reading habits and other potential confounders, which suggested the contextual effect of public libraries on older adults' functional ability. Additionally, the magnitude of association was larger for the younger, women, and people with reading habits than their counterparts. Building new libraries and increasing the number of library books in a community may contribute to lowering the functional disability risk among older adults.

Keywords:  Aging; Library; Long-term care; Older adults; Reading habits

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2025.101762
Med Ref Serv Q. 2025 Feb 24. 1-17

Work-Life Balance, Marginalized Communities and Patient Care: Showcasing Library Resources with Monthly Book Lists.

Chloe Hough, T Brandon Hall.

  As a small library at a newly opened regional campus, the team at the Tampa Bay Regional Campus Library sought to build community and an inclusive culture. This desire, along with the aims to increase patron engagement, highlight library offerings, and provide an outlet for stress relief and mindfulness, led to the development of a monthly book display with physical, virtual, and social media components. Over time, the book display developed from a personal project to a larger effort involving most members of the library team. This project helped increase engagement and raise the library's profile on campus.

Keywords:  Cultural competence; health science libraries; mindfulness; student engagement; work-life balance

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2025.2465610
Telemed Rep. 2025 ;6(1): 1-5

Libraries as Telehealth Hubs: Bridging the Digital Divide and Expanding Health care Access.

Elizabeth A Krupinski, Dana Abbey, Mala Muralidaran, Faith Steele, George Strawley.

  Libraries can play a valuable role in the delivery and support of telehealth services. This article is based on a panel of experts convened for the Virtual Care Symposium 2024, "From Novelty to Sustainability: How to Embed Virtual Care Into the Post-Pandemic Healthcare Delivery Template," to discuss ways to leverage community spaces to expand telehealth access. Strategies for successful implementation and operation are provided along with insights into possible challenges based on real-world examples. Libraries can play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide by providing internet access and digital devices to the public, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Keywords:  libraries; telemedicine; virtual care symposium

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1089/tmr.2024.0075
Bioethics. 2025 Feb 26.

Missing references and citations at Google Scholar.

Joona Räsänen.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13403
Med Ref Serv Q. 2025 Feb 27. 1-9

WHO Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy Portal.

Emily Vardell.

  The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy Portal is the publicly available interface for the World Health Organization's up to date global health data in the areas of cervical cancer, family planning, infertility, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, and violence against women. This overview details how users can visualize sexual and reproductive health and rights data on charts and maps and explore related resources including the Global Abortion Policies Database.

Keywords:  Data repository; World Health Organization; global health; health policy; online database; reproductive health; review; sexual health; statistics

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2025.2471884
J ISAKOS. 2025 Feb 21. pii: S2059-7754(25)00460-2. [Epub ahead of print] 100843

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery OrthoInfo provides more readable information regarding meniscus injury than ChatGPT-4 while information accuracy is comparable.

Camden Bohn, Catherine Hand, Shadia Tannir, Marisa Ulrich, Sami Saniei, Miguel Girod-Hoffman, Yining Lu, Aaron Krych, Brian Forsythe.

   INTRODUCTION: Over 61% of Americans seek health information online, often using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. However, concerns persist about the readability and accessibility of AI-generated content, especially for individuals with varying health literacy levels. This study compares the readability and accuracy of ChatGPT responses on meniscus injuries with those from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' OrthoInfo website, which is tailored for patient education. We hypothesize that while ChatGPT offers accurate information, its readability will be lower than OrthoInfo.
METHODS: Seven frequently asked questions about meniscus injuries were used to compare responses from ChatGPT-4 and OrthoInfo. Readability was assessed using multiple calculators (Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG Readability Formula, FORCAST Readability Formula, Fry Graph, Raygor Readability Estimate), and accuracy was evaluated by three independent reviewers on a 4-point scale. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests to compare readability and accuracy between the two sources.
RESULTS: ChatGPT responses required a significantly higher education level to comprehend, with an average reading grade level of 13.8 compared to 9.8 for OrthoInfo (p < 0.01). The Flesch Reading Ease Index also indicated lower readability for ChatGPT (32.0 vs. 59.9, p < 0.01). However, both ChatGPT and OrthoInfo responses were highly accurate, with all but one ChatGPT response receiving the highest accuracy rating of 4. The response to physical exam findings was less accurate (3.3 vs. 3.6, p = 0.52).
CONCLUSION: While AI-generated responses were accurate, their readability made them less accessible than OrthoInfo, which is designed for a broad audience. This study underscores the importance of clear, accessible information for meniscal injuries and suggests that AI tools should incorporate readability metrics to enhance patient comprehension. Despite the potential of AI, resources like OrthoInfo remain essential for effectively communicating health information to the public.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Keywords:  Accuracy; Artificial Intelligence; ChatGPT; Health Literacy; Meniscus Injury; Readability

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jisako.2025.100843
Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Feb 26. 317(1): 501

Evaluating the readability of online patient education materials on skin care in Mpox.

Jake Nusynowitz, Nicholas Gessner, Kieron S Leslie, John C Trinidad.



Keywords:  Mpox; Patient education materials; Readability; Skincare

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-025-03974-w
Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2025 Feb 24. pii: S0168-8227(25)00083-X. [Epub ahead of print]222 112069

An evaluation of YouTube videos on glucose sensor devices and type 1 diabetes mellitus: User perceptions, device features, and content reliability.

Birsel Molu, Gizem Molu.

   AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance, comprehensiveness, reliability, and quality of English-language YouTube videos related to new glucose sensor devices.
METHODS: In November 2024, a search was conducted on a computer using the keywords "glucose sensor devices," "continuous glucose monitor," "glucose sensor devices and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus," and "glucose sensor devices and child." Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 videos that met the research objectives were analyzed. Relevant URLs were recorded. For each video, the following information was collected.
RESULTS: Of the 30 videos analyzed, 40 % (n = 12) were presented or managed by healthcare professionals. The average values for performance features of the videos were: 172,257.166 ± 233,861.720 views, 170.866 ± 222.974 comments, and 1,643.133 ± 2,252.247 likes. Four videos did not receive any likes. 40 % of the videos contained good and useful information for viewers, while 60 % were of high quality.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that detailed and reliable content in YouTube videos about glucose monitoring devices enhances quality. It is recommended that video content be regularly evaluated, and future research should be conducted using alternative measurement tools in different languages.

Keywords:  Dexcom G6; FreeStyle Libre; Glucose sensor devices; Quality; Reliability; Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; YouTube

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112069
Front Public Health. 2025 ;13 1497855

Assessing the quality, reliability, and transparency of YouTube videos on spiritual palliative care: a content analysis.

Fhaied Almobarak.

   Aim: To inspect the quality, reliability, and transparency of YouTube videos on spiritual palliative care by employing systematic scoring benchmarks, such as JAMA and Modified DISCERN.
Background: Spiritual care is vital in palliative care, and YouTube is a popular platform for health information, though the quality of such content remains unexplored. The present study is the first analysis of spiritual palliative care videos on YouTube, revealing the types of creators (e.g., educational institutions, healthcare providers, etc.), dominant video formats (documentaries, testimonials, lectures, etc.), and overall quality and transparency of the content.
Methods: On 19th April 2024, a sample of 50 spiritual palliative care YouTube videos was compiled and examined for quality, reliability, and transparency assessment. JAMA and Modified DISCERN scoring systems were used to score the sample videos. The first step in data analysis was determining the variables' normality. For this, the Shapiro-Wilk test was employed. The data was not normally distributed, so group-wise comparisons and correlation analysis were conducted using non-parametric methods. Correlation analysis was done using the Spearman's test. The quantitative data of the groups/categories were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results: The current study's findings showcase that the quality, reliability, and transparency of the spiritual palliative care YouTube videos are moderate. The mean JAMA score for transparency was slightly better than the mean Modified DISCERN score for the quality/reliability of the sample videos.
Impact: The current study addresses the ambiguity about the quality, reliability, and transparency of spiritual palliative care videos on YouTube. The results highlight the lack of superior quality, reliability, and transparency of the available video content related to the subject. Concerned authorities must recognize the risk of contact with substandard quality health-related YouTube content. To promote public health, initiatives are needed to increase patients' chances of access to high-quality YouTube information about the spiritual facet of palliative care.

Keywords:  JAMA; Modified DISCERN; nursing; palliative care; quality; reliability; spirituality; transparency

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1497855
J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2025 Jan-Dec;12:12 23821205241301552

"YouTube" for Surgical Training and Education in Donor Nephrectomy: Friend or Foe?

Mohamed El-Mahrouk, Derar Jaradat, Tim Eichler, Robert Sucher, Christian Margreiter, Andri Lederer, Robert Karitnig, Antonia Geisler, Nora Jahn, Hans Michael Hau.

   Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward e-learning and online education in surgical training. With the increasing prevalence of end-stage chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation is in high demand. Donor safety is crucial in nephrectomy procedures, highlighting the importance of effective training. This study evaluates the quality and effectiveness of YouTube videos focusing on laparoscopic and robotic donor nephrectomy for surgical education.
Methods: On October 24, 2023, searches on YouTube for "laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy" and "robotic live donor nephrectomy" returned 121 videos, with 63 included in the study. Popularity was evaluated using the Video Power Index (VPI), while reliability and quality were assessed using the LAP-VEGaS Video Assessment Tool and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. Additionally, a structured descriptive tool called the "Live Donor Nephrectomy Completeness (LDNC)" was created to evaluate the completeness and educational value of procedural technical steps.
Results: Out of 63 videos reviewed, laparoscopic surgical procedures were depicted in 71.4% of them, while robotic approaches were shown in 28.6%. Academic backgrounds were associated with 54% of the videos, and individual physician backgrounds with 46%. Mean scores were LAP-VEGaS 9.79 ± 3.87, VPI 6.32 ± 3.31, and LDNC 9.68 ± 1.97. JAMA scores varied, with 34.9% receiving 1 point, 34.9% receiving 2 points, 17.5% receiving 3 points, and 12.7% receiving 4 points. Academic videos scored significantly higher in LAP-VEGaS and LDNC (all p < .01). While LAP-VEGaS, VPI, and LDNC scores correlated significantly (all p < .05), no correlation was found between JAMA score and other scoring systems. Videos with more clicks and likes showed significantly better scores across all measures (all p < .05).
Conclusion: Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic on surgical education, YouTube has emerged as a valuable resource for learning about laparoscopic and robotic donor nephrectomy for living kidney donation. However, the quality and reliability of these videos vary greatly, and many lack thorough reviews, leading to incomplete information. To enhance their educational value, it's proposed that videos undergo professional evaluation before publication and adhere to standardized, structured, and validated scoring systems, ensuring logical structure and improved quality.

Keywords:  LAP-VEGaS; YouTube; donor nephrectomy; educational videos; laparoscopic surgery; robotic surgery; surgical training

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205241301552
Orthod Craniofac Res. 2025 Feb 28.

A Scoping Review of the Quality of Orthodontic Information on YouTube.

Maurice J Meade, Emilija Jensen, Brianna Poirier.

  YouTube is among the most popular social media platforms globally. The aim of this scoping review was to collate and synthesise the evidence related to the quality of information (QOI) about orthodontic-related videos uploaded to YouTube. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines were employed by two independent researchers to search and screen the literature over four electronic databases. The study topics were assigned into one of five general categories: 'Appliances', 'Orthodontic conditions', 'Orthodontics', 'Quality of life' and 'Treatment techniques and auxiliaries'. The searches initially returned 82 unique records. A total of 35 cross-sectional studies, evaluating 3129 videos with more than 181,563,304 views, were identified for systematic appraisal after the application of selection criteria. The findings indicated that YouTube plays a prominent role in the provision and sharing of orthodontic-related information. Although the information provided by orthodontic treatment providers was of slightly higher quality, the overall quality of all orthodontic information was generally poor. The studies covered a wide range of orthodontic-related subjects, with those related to appliances, especially clear aligners, being commonplace. Evaluation of the QOI frequently involved the use of the modified DISCERN, video information quality index (VIQI) and global quality score (GQS) tools. Content analysis was employed in most studies, but there was considerable heterogeneity in the use and reporting of this approach. Improvement of the quality of videos, either with or without the involvement of professional bodies, was frequently recommended by the studies.

Keywords:  YouTube; orthodontic treatment; quality of information; scoping review; social media

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/ocr.12913
J Anesth Analg Crit Care. 2025 Feb 25. 5(1): 12

Impact of YouTube® videos on knowledge on tracheal intubation for anesthesiologist trainees: a prospective observational study.

Annachiara Marra, Andrea Uriel de Siena, Carmine Iacovazzo, Maria Vargas, Nicola Cesarano, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Giuseppe Celentano, Pasquale Buonanno.

   BACKGROUND: Social media platforms, initially developed for recreational use, have evolved into major sources for disseminating information, including medical information for patients and healthcare providers in many disciplines. This study aimed to evaluate the educational potential of YouTube® videos in teaching tracheal intubation to first-year anesthesiology residents.
METHODS: This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of "University Federico II-AORN A. Cardarelli" (protocol no. 00010735). We analyzed the first 10 YouTube videos identified via the search term "tracheal intubation." Each video was evaluated for misinformation and informational completeness via a 5-item Likert scale. After providing written consent, fifty-seven first-year anesthesiology residents watched these videos and completed a 22-item questionnaire before and after viewing. Each correct answer received one point, whereas incorrect answers received 0 points, allowing for comparisons of knowledge acquisition.
RESULTS: The videos exhibited moderate quality (median score, 3; range, 1-5) and low informational completeness (median score, 1.432; range, 1.000-2.046). Residents' scores increased modestly by one point after viewing (from 13 to 14; p < 0.001). Misinformation was positively correlated with the number of followers (beta coefficient: 0.00002, p < 0.001), video duration (beta coefficient: 0.0042, p < 0.05), and linking ratio (beta coefficient: 0.242, p < 0.05). Conversely, informational completeness was inversely correlated with video duration (beta coefficient: - 0.001121, p < 0.05) and the thumbs-up/view ratio (beta coefficient: - 67.4697, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: While YouTube® has potential as an accessible educational tool, current video selection offers limited improvement in residents' understanding of tracheal intubation. Our findings highlight the need for greater curation and better-quality control of medical educational content on YouTube® to optimize its effectiveness and provide accurate information. Institutions could play a key role in producing reliable, guideline-based videos that better support learning objectives in anesthesiology training.

Keywords:  Education; Learning; Tracheal intubation; Video; YouTube®

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-025-00232-3
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Feb 07. pii: 351. [Epub ahead of print]13(4):

YouTube as a Source of Information for Dietary Guidance and Advisory Content in the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Kagan Tur.

  Background/Objectives: Fatty liver disease (FLD), particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a growing global health concern that underscores the need for effective dietary management strategies. With over 25% of patients seeking dietary advice through platforms like YouTube, the quality and reliability of this information remain critical. However, the disparity in educational value and engagement metrics between professional and non-professional content remains underexplored. This study evaluates YouTube's role in disseminating dietary advice for FLD management, focusing on content reliability, engagement metrics, and the educational value of videos. Methods: This cross-sectional study systematically analyzed 183 YouTube videos on FLD and dietary advice. Videos were selected based on relevance, English language, and non-promotional content. Scoring systems, including DISCERN, Global Quality Score (GQS), and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), were employed to assess reliability, quality, and educational value. Engagement metrics such as views, likes, dislikes, and interaction rates were analyzed across uploader categories, including healthcare professionals, patients, and undefined sources. Results: Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals demonstrated significantly higher DISCERN scores (4.2 ± 0.8) and GQS ratings (4.1 ± 0.6) compared to patient-generated content (DISCERN: 2.8 ± 0.9; GQS: 3.0 ± 0.7). However, patient-generated videos achieved higher engagement rates, with median views reaching 340,000 (IQR: 15,000-1,000,000) compared to 450,050 (IQR: 23,000-1,800,000) for professional videos. Nutritional recommendations spanned diverse approaches, including low-carb diets, Mediterranean diets, and guidance to avoid processed foods and sugars. A significant proportion of videos lacked evidence-based content, particularly among non-professional uploads. Conclusions: YouTube represents a widely accessed but inconsistent source of dietary advice for FLD. While healthcare professional videos exhibit higher reliability and educational value, patient-generated content achieves broader engagement, revealing a critical gap in trusted, accessible dietary guidance. These findings highlight the need for clinicians and content creators to collaborate in curating and disseminating evidence-based content, ensuring patients receive accurate, actionable advice for managing FLD.

Keywords:  YouTube; dietary advice; fatty liver disease; nutrition; online health information

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040351
BMC Oral Health. 2025 Feb 25. 25(1): 301

Quality and reliability evaluation of YouTube® exercises content for temporomandibular disorders.

Halime Arikan, Erkan Erol.

   OBJECTIVES: YouTube is a popular source for health-related content, including exercises for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of YouTube videos on TMD exercises.
METHODS: A systematic search on YouTube using keywords related to TMD exercises and rehabilitation identified relevant videos. Two researchers independently assessed these videos. Content was evaluated using the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), reliability with modified DISCERN, and quality with the Global Quality Scale (GQS).
RESULTS: One hundred twenty one exercise videos were included in the study. Of these, 47 (38.3%) were helpful, and 89 (73.6%) were uploaded by healthcare professionals. Useful and misleading videos had similar metrics for views, likes, comments, and interaction (p > 0.05), but useful videos had longer durations and older upload dates (p < 0.05). Cohen's Kappa scores showed substantial agreement between raters (mDISCERN = 0.709, GQS = 0.753). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for VIQI was 0.907. Significant differences were found in mDISCERN, GQS, and VIQI scores based on the source and usefulness of videos (p < 0.05), with high correlations among the instruments (r = 0.740 to 0.909). The area under the curve for the instruments ranged from 0.785 to 0.876.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of YouTube videos on TMD exercises were deemed useful, primarily uploaded by healthcare professionals, and contained reasonably safe, accurate, and quality information. Although this may seem like a positive outcome, unfortunately there was no explanation of TMD diagnoses in the videos. Therefore, it was unclear which types of TMD pathologies the videos were addressing.

Keywords:  Exercise; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Temporomandibular disorders; Video; YouTube

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05669-0
Urolithiasis. 2025 Feb 25. 53(1): 40

An examination of the quality of kidney stone information on YouTube and TikTok.

Zuzanna Augustyn, Helen L Richards, Alice McGrath, Yvonne Swanton, Derek B Hennessey.

  Social media is increasingly consulted by patients for health-related information. The quality of this information is unknown and unregulated. This study aimed to investigate the quality of kidney stones information on two popular video platforms, YouTube and TikTok, and examine factors related to its quality. A search using keywords of "kidney stones" alongside "information, prevention, treatment" was used across YouTube and TikTok. The top 50 videos on each platform were rated by 4 independent reviewers on: general information, epidemiology, symptoms/presentation, treatment, and prevention. The American Urological Association's kidney stone curriculum was utilised as the benchmark for quality. The total number of views across the 100 videos was over 46 million. Overall, 91% of videos were educational in terms of genre. Misinformation was present in 34% of TikTok and 2% of YouTube videos. YouTube received significantly higher quality ratings across all parameters bar prevention (z's>-4.79 p's < 0.001); however, less than 50% of YouTube videos were rated as good quality. There was no association between quality and the number of likes or views across platforms (p's > 0.3). The quality of information presented across platforms was very variable with over half of videos considered poor quality. Given the high usage of social media as a source of health information it is important that healthcare providers and the general public are aware of the limits of information available on both platforms and continued efforts are made to develop high quality videos suitable for patient consumption.

Keywords:  Education; Quality; Social media; Urolithiasis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-025-01713-4
BMC Public Health. 2025 Feb 25. 25(1): 776

Evaluating the quality and reliability of youtube videos on tympanostomy tubes: a comprehensive analysis for patients and parents.

Gulay Aktar Ugurlu, Burak Numan Ugurlu.

   BACKGROUND: The increasing use of online platforms as sources of medical information has led to a growing concern regarding the accuracy, reliability, and quality of the content available. YouTube, one of the most widely accessed platforms, serves as a prominent source for health-related information, including topics like tympanostomy tubes. However, the variability in the quality of uploaded videos and the lack of standardization raise questions about their utility for patient education and decision-making. This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of the information provided by YouTube videos about tympanostomy tubes along with some key metrics of the videos.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a search was conducted on YouTube on June 6, 2024, using the keywords tympanostomy tubes, ear tubes, ventilation tubes, myringotomy, and grommet insertion. A total of 68 videos with over 10,000 views that met the inclusion criteria were included. Video Power Index (VPI) and Global Quality Scale (GQS), Modified DISCERN and JAMA scores obtained by 2 independent otolaryngologists were statistically analysed.
RESULTS: Only 13.2% of the videos mentioned complications, and 39.7% addressed anesthesia techniques, with informative videos mentioning anesthesia techniques more frequently than surgical videos (P = 0.003). The average length of the videos was 223.3 ± 155.4 s, the average number of views was 153,884 ± 320,786, and the average VPI was 59.73 ± 93.19. The average quality scores for all videos were 2.81 ± 1.01 for GQS, 3 ± 1.43 for Modified DISCERN, and 2.75 ± 0.9 for JAMA, with the quality scores for informative videos being statistically significantly higher than for surgical videos (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.010, respectively). The quality and reliability of the videos varied significantly depending on the uploader, with medical schools/universities and private hospitals generally providing higher quality content.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that while YouTube can be an additional source of information about tympanostomy tubes, there are significant deficiencies in content quality. We believe that patients and their relatives should consider videos uploaded by professionals rather than relying on the number of views and likes when using YouTube as an information source.

Keywords:  Ear tubes; Myringotomy tubes; Tympanostomy tubes; Ventilation tubes; Video analysis; YouTube™

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21963-6
Cureus. 2025 Jan;17(1): e78043

A Quality Assessment of YouTube Videos on Chalazia: Implications for Patient Education and Healthcare Professional Involvement.

Mübeccel Bulut, Ali Hakim Reyhan.

   BACKGROUND: YouTube has become a popular source of health information for patients. However, the quality and reliability of videos related to a chalazion, a common eyelid condition, have not yet been thoroughly evaluated.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred YouTube videos were evaluated using keywords such as "chalazion surgery" and "chalazion removal". Two ophthalmologists assessed the videos using the DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Global Quality Scale (GQS) scoring systems and recorded the source of each video.
RESULTS: Analysis revealed low average DISCERN (33.0), JAMA (2.0), and GQS (2.5) scores, indicating poor quality and reliability. Most videos (64%) were classified as "poor" quality, with only a small percentage rated "good" or "excellent". Higher-quality content exhibited positive correlations with engagement metrics.
CONCLUSION: YouTube videos concerning a chalazion generally lack quality and credibility and are not sufficient for providing reliable patient information. This study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to refer patients to trustworthy sources for the creation of high-quality, unbiased content.

Keywords:  chalazion surgery; discern; global quality score (gqs); journal of the american medical association (jama); youtube

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78043
Neuromodulation. 2025 Feb 24. pii: S1094-7159(25)00027-3. [Epub ahead of print]

Response to: YouTube as a Source of Medical Information About Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.

Levent Karataş.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2025.01.014
Front Pharmacol. 2025 ;16 1466352

Consumers' expected information search behavior for a pharmaceutical treatment.

Yifei Liu, Jack E Fincham, Morgan L Sperry.

   Objective: The Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) integrates multiple factors influencing information seeking. This study was to identify factors impacting consumers' expected information search behavior for a pharmaceutical treatment. By examining the predictive utility of these factors, the CMIS could be improved in the context of health information search.
Methods: A telephone interview was administered to a random-digit-dialed sample of 2,186 adult residents in a southern U.S. state. Measurements included expected information search for a pharmaceutical treatment within the next 2 weeks, self-rated health (SRH), extraversion, and demographics. SRH was measured on a 4-point scale (Excellent-4, Poor-1), with higher scores indicating better subjective health. A logistic regression was conducted, in which the outcome variable was the expected information search for a pharmaceutical treatment, and covariates were SRH, extraversion, and demographics.
Results: A total of 505 individuals participated. On average, they were 57 years old, and 61% of them were female. Fourteen percent of them expected to seek information for a pharmaceutical treatment. The logistic regression was significant (p < 0.01). SRH was a significant negative predictor (p < 0.05) and gender (female) was a significant positive predictor for the expected information-seeking behavior (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Consumers with lower SRH and women were more likely to perform expected information search for a pharmaceutical treatment. These findings have implications for both the modification of the CMIS and the provision of healthcare interventions.

Keywords:  consumer behavior; health information; information search; information seeking; medication; pharmaceutical treatment

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1466352
J Med Internet Res. 2025 Feb 25. 27 e63763

Evaluating the Knowledge and Information-Seeking Behaviors of People Living With Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

Véronique Duguay, Dominique Comeau, Tiffany Turgeon, Nadia Bouhamdani, Mathieu Belanger, Lyle Weston, Tammy Johnson, Nicole Manzer, Melissa Giberson, Ludivine Chamard-Witkowski.

   BACKGROUND: The internet has emerged as a primary source of health-related information for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, given the abundance of misinformation found on the web, this behavior may pose a significant threat to internet users.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the knowledge and information-seeking behavior of people living with MS followed at a specialized MS clinic where education is a cornerstone of care.
METHODS: This cross-sectional survey-based study comprised 20 true or false statements, covering both scientific facts and popular misinformation about MS treatments. A "scientific fact score" and a "misinformation score" were calculated by attributing a scoring system to each point in the survey: +1 point was attributed to correct answers, -1 point was attributed to incorrect answers, and 0 point was attributed to "I don't know." Furthermore, the survey inquired about participants' health-seeking behaviors.
RESULTS: The mean age of the 69 participants was 48.4 (SD 10.9) years, 78% (54/69) were female, 81% (56/69) were highly educated, 90% (62/69) were receiving a disease-modifying therapy, and 52% (30/58) had experimented with alternative therapies. The mean score for answering the scientific and misinformation questions correctly was 69% (SD 2.4%) and 22% (SD 4.5%), respectively (P<.001). Notably, when questioned about misinformation, answering correctly dropped significantly (P<.001), while indecision (P<.001) and answering incorrectly (P=.02) increased. Sociodemographic factors and medical questions were not significantly associated with scientific and misinformation scores (all P>.05); however, misinformation scores did significantly correlate with levels of education (P=.04). The main sources of health-related information were from expert-led MS websites (48/58, 82%) and health care professionals (34/58, 59%). Low-reliability sources were less used; however, word of mouth seemed to be prevalent (14/58, 24%), followed by Facebook (10/58, 17%). On average, people with MS reported having consulted 3 high- to moderate-quality sources and only 1 low-quality source.
CONCLUSIONS: Education at the clinic and consulting primarily moderate- to high-quality sources did not safeguard against misinformation, indicating a need for more misinformation-geared education at the clinic. Notably, there is a need to proactively educate patients about misinformation commonly found on the web, and more importantly, create space for them to discuss the information without prejudice. As novel educational methods may be relatively more time-consuming, implementing change may be challenging. Furthermore, age, sex, education level, and health literacy might not safeguard against misinformation. Herein, we were unable to identify correlations associated with scores obtained on the questionnaire other than educational level. Although the educational level did seem to impact the misinformation score, this did not stop participants from experimenting with alternative therapies. Although studies are exploring novel ways to effectively deal with health misinformation on the web, more research is needed to fully understand this highly complex social phenomenon.

Keywords:  chronic illness; education; health information; health literacy; health-related information; information-seeking behavior; misinformation; multiple sclerosis; patient-doctor relationship; social media; web-based searches

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2196/63763
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2025 Feb 24. 1-7

Speed and accuracy of online searches by legislators and medical students using RefBin's opioid use disorder database.

Katelynn Giroux, David Krag, Richard Single, Shania Prytherch, Sydney White, Sarah Niknaum.

  Background: Literature regarding opioid use disorder (OUD) is often difficult for nonscientific communities to access. The OUD database on RefBin categorizes scientific findings and may facilitate access to information regarding OUD.Objectives: To evaluate if the RefBin OUD database improves access to information about OUD for policymakers and medical students.Methods: 31 medical students and 13 individual policymakers completed this study. Using a cross-over method, participants answered questions about OUD. Speed, accuracy, confidence, and satisfaction metrics were collected and compared between searches that used RefBin vs other resources chosen by participants.Results: At baseline, medical students reported being comfortable with scientific literature and familiar with OUD. Policymakers reported low comfort levels with scientific literature and variable familiarity with OUD. Within the medical student sample, the odds of answering correctly were 2.43 times higher for RefBin searches than for searches using resources other than RefBin (non-RefBin searches) (p = .005; 95% CI: (1.31, 4.51)). For policymakers, the odds of answering correctly were 3.65 times higher for RefBin vs non-RefBin searches (p = .0496; 95% CI: [1.002, 13.279]). Medical students reported feeling confident in their results 50.7% of the time when using RefBin, compared to 28.3% with non-RefBin searches (p = .006).Conclusion: When compared with searching using non-RefBin sources, searches performed using RefBin resulted in improved accuracy and efficiency for both medical students and policymakers. This demonstrates the potential utility of the RefBin OUD database in improving access to reliable information about OUD.

Keywords:  Information management; RefBin; evidence-based public health; online systems; public health policy; substance use disorder

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2025.2450431
Musculoskeletal Care. 2025 Mar;23(1): e70069

Assessing Online Material Related to Scoliosis: What Do Patients Want to Know?

Nathaniel Hunter, Cole Payne, Rohini Vanodia, Surya Mundluru.

   INTRODUCTION: No data describe what patients search for related to scoliosis. We aimed to quantify the Google search volume for scoliosis, identify the most sought-after information, and evaluate the associated online resources.
METHODS: Search volume and 'People Also Ask' (PAA) questions were documented for the following terms: scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, and neuromuscular scoliosis. PAA questions were categorised based on intent and websites were categorised on source. Quality and readability of the sources were determined using the JAMA criteria, Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL).
ETHICAL APPROVAL: This investigation was exempted from Institutional Review Board approval.
RESULTS: Search volume for 'scoliosis' has significantly increased since 2015, with an average monthly search volume of 219,055 (p < 0.0001). 182 PAA questions were extracted. Most were related to technical details, the evaluation of current treatments, or alternative treatments. Academic websites were the most common resource, followed by medical practices and government websites. Only 4% of websites met the criteria for universal readability.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Scoliosis is a relatively common condition and a popular topic among Google users. However, only 4% of online resources provided by Google were written at an appropriate reading level. The lack of patient-friendly resources related to scoliosis is concerning, particularly given that this patient population has been shown to search for information online at twice the rate of others. This data provides a framework for healthcare professionals to begin addressing common questions related to scoliosis in a patient-centred manner.

Keywords:  Google; adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; patient education; readability; scoliosis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70069
Front Public Health. 2025 ;13 1497025

Digital pathways to healthcare: a systematic review for unveiling the trends and insights in online health information-seeking behavior.

Yang Fu, Ping Han, Jian Wang, Fakhar Shahzad.

  The importance of seeking online health information cannot be overstated when addressing public health concerns. Researchers must comprehensively review the literature on online health information seeking to fully comprehend the underlying behaviors and trends that shape this phenomenon. This systematic review utilizes bibliometric methodologies and the scientometric software CiteSpace to thoroughly analyze journals from the Web of Science core collection database (n = 2,761), providing the theoretical groundwork for future research in this field. Three main findings emerged from the analysis: first, research on online health information-seeking behavior has steadily increased, indicating that it is a hot topic in academia. Second, the convergence trend with emerging information technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and social media is changing user behavior and how people search for health information. Third, there is a growing emphasis on understanding how factors such as the digital divide, social media influence, public health initiatives, risk perception, and health anxiety affect online health information-seeking behavior. The research suggests potential areas for future investigation, such as emerging technologies, digital inequalities, social media analysis, public health implications, and psychological factors in health information-seeking. These areas have the potential to inform evidence-based interventions and advance the understanding of critical issues in healthcare.

Keywords:  CiteSpace; health information; health information-seeking behavior; information behavior; online

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1497025
J Community Health. 2025 Feb 22.

The Role of Family as a Source of Health Information Among College Students.

Karthika S Cohen, Dawn Fallik, Anne R Cappola.

  The internet has increasingly become a major source of health information, especially for college-age adults, who spend a significant amount of time online. This article investigates sources used by US college students to acquire health information. College students aged 18-25 years old (n = 189) from 18 colleges were surveyed between November 2022 and February 2023. The survey was conducted using the online survey platform SurveyMonkey. Participants were asked to select their main sources of health information under three different categories: general medical, mental health, and Covid-19 related information. Survey data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The survey found that parents/guardians, the internet, and medical providers were the top information sources in each category. Although previous surveys have shown that the internet is the main source of health information for most adults, when asked about their primary source of information, college-age adults reported predominantly relying on family for general medical information. However, they turned to online sources for mental health information, with Instagram as the top social media resource. The internet was the primary source for Covid-19 information. These data suggest that including parents in health messaging for college- age adults could help with dissemination of health information to this age group particularly when addressing general medical information such as vaccines, medical care and seasonal illnesses like flu. They also suggest that this group seeks alternative sources-like peers and social media- for topics that have associated stigma, such as mental health. Providing shareable resources with mental health information through college communication programs and networks may help disseminate accurate information to students.

Keywords:  College students; Health communication; Health information; Health information Sources; Internet; Medical communication

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-025-01448-8
J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2025 Jan;7(1): 37-40

Leveraging ChatGPT to Produce Patient Education Materials for Common Hand Conditions.

George Abdelmalek, Harjot Uppal, Daniel Garcia, Joseph Farshchian, Arash Emami, Andrew McGinniss.

   Purpose: Many adults in the United States possess basic or below basic health literacy skills, making it essential for patient education materials (PEMs) to be presented at or below a sixth-grade reading level. We evaluate the readability of PEMs generated by ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 for common hand conditions.
Methods: We used Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) 3.5 and 4.0 to generate PEMs for 50 common hand pathologies. Two consistent questions were asked to minimize variability: 1. "Please explain [Condition] to a patient at a sixth-grade reading level, including details on anatomy, symptoms, doctors' examination, and treatment (both surgical and nonsurgical)." 2. "Create a detailed patient information sheet for the general patient population at a sixth-grade reading level explaining [Condition], including points such as anatomy, symptoms, physical examination, and treatment (both surgical and nonsurgical)." Before asking the second question, a priming phase was conducted where ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 were presented with a text sample written at a sixth-grade reading level and informed that this was the desired output level. Multiple readability tests were used to evaluate the output, with a consensus reading level created from the results of all eight readability scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4.
Results: ChatGPT 4.0 successfully produced 28% of its responses at the appropriate reading level following the priming phase, compared to none by ChatGPT 3.5. ChatGPT 4.0 showed superior performance across all readability metrics.
Conclusions: ChatGPT 4.0 is a more effective tool than ChatGPT 3.5 for generating PEMs at a sixth-grade reading level for common hand conditions.
Clinical relevance: The results suggest that Artificial Intelligence could significantly enhance patient education and health literacy with further refinement.

Keywords:  Artificial intelligence; Hand; Patient education materials

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.10.002
J Cancer Educ. 2025 Feb 24.

Understanding TikTok's Role in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Education.

Dharma Ayer, Aryan Jain, Mannut Singh, Angela Tawfik, Micheal Tadros.

  The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in younger adults has risen by about 1-2% annually in the past decade. TikTok has become a popular venue for the discussion of health information among young adults. This study analyzed the top 85 most-liked TikToks under the search terms "early colon cancer" and "young adult colon cancer," to evaluate their educational value. Data on the post uploader, content, analytics, and mentioned tips/symptoms were collected. Two independent researchers rated the quality of each video using a global quality score (GQS). The videos analyzed had a total of over 37 million views. Among them, 16.47% highlighted how misinformation contributed to delayed diagnoses, yet only 2.35% specifically educated viewers about such misinformation. Provider-posted content had higher GQS ratings than non-provider content (p < 0.05), indicating better quality, although total views were higher for non-provider content. The GQS did not differ significantly between highly viewed (> 100,000 views) and lower-viewed (≤ 100,000 views) videos. Our results highlight that TikTok is a key platform for engaging young adults about rising CRC rates, though increased expert engagement is needed to address current gaps in combating misinformation and promoting high-quality educational content.

Keywords:  Colorectal cancer awareness; Early detection; Health communication; Health misinformation; Social media; Young adult cancer; Young-onset colorectal cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-025-02585-3
Entropy (Basel). 2025 Jan 27. pii: 133. [Epub ahead of print]27(2):

Chinese Named Entity Recognition for Automobile Fault Texts Based on External Context Retrieving and Adversarial Training.

Shuhai Wang, Linfu Sun.

  Identifying key concepts in automobile fault texts is crucial for understanding fault causes and enabling diagnosis. However, effective mining tools are lacking, leaving much latent information unexplored. To solve the problem, this paper proposes Chinese named entity recognition for automobile fault texts based on external context retrieval and adversarial training. First, we retrieve external contexts by using a search engine. Then, the input sentence and its external contexts are respectively fed into Lexicon Enhanced BERT to improve the text embedding representation. Furthermore, the input sentence and its external contexts embedding representation are fused through the attention mechanism. Then, adversarial samples are generated by adding perturbations to the fusion vector representation. Finally, the fusion vector representation and adversarial samples are input into the BiLSTM-CRF layer as training data for entity labeling. Our model is evaluated on the automotive fault datasets, Weibo and Resume datasets, and achieves state-of-the-art results.

Keywords:  adversarial training; automobile fault text; bidirectional long short-term memory; information entropy; named entity recognition

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/e27020133