Can YouTube English Videos Be Recommended as an Accurate Source for Learning About Testicular Self-examination?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the content, reliability and quality of the most viewed YouTube videos related to testicular self-examination.

Methods: The terms "testicular self-examination," "testis examination," and "testis exam" were used to search YouTube videos. Of 300 videos, a total of 123 videos were included. They were divided into 2 groups according to accuracy: useful information (Group 1, n = 78, 63.4%) and misleading information (Group 2, n = 45, 36.6%). A 5-point modified DISCERN tool was used to assess the reliability, a 5-point Global Quality Score was used to evaluate the quality, and a 7-point scale was used to assess the comprehensiveness of the videos.

Results: DISCERN score (median 3, IQR: 3-4 vs median 1, IQR: 0-2, P < .001), Global Quality Score (median 4, IQR: 4-5 vs median 1, IQR: 1-2, P < .001), and comprehensiveness score (median 6, IQR: 5-6 vs median 1, IQR: 0-2, P < .001) were higher in Group 1. This group also had higher numbers in terms of total views, views per day and likes. It was seen that universities/professional organizations/nonprofit physician/physician groups (23.1%), stand-alone health information websites (21.8%), and testicular cancer survivors (28.2%) uploaded most of the videos in Group 1, whereas the majority in Group 2 were individual users (68.9%).

Conclusion: We observed that YouTube videos are of high quality, reliability, and rich content in terms of all of the steps related to how testicular self-examination should be done. However, since the YouTube search algorithm is not actually sufficient enough, it is not easy and practical for a lay man to find a suitable video by searching for "keyword" in the YouTube list.