Quality and Reliability Analysis of YouTube As a Source of Patient Information on De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Overview

Journal J Wrist Surg

Date 2025 Feb 3

PMID 39896907

Authors

Jason H Kim

John F Hoy

Samuel L Shuman

Farhan Ahmad

Xavier C Simcock

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study seeks to evaluate the quality and reliability of information regarding de Quervain's tenosynovitis on YouTube. A search on the YouTube was performed using the keywords , and the first 50 videos were evaluated. Video characteristics including views, content type, and video upload source were recorded. Video reliability was assessed using the ( ) benchmark criteria. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS) and a novel de Quervain's Tenosynovitis-Specific Score (DQT-SS). The total number of views for all videos evaluated was 5,508,498 (mean, 110,169.96 ± 155,667.07). Video reliability and quality metrics were low, with a mean score of 2.17 ± 0.82 out of 4, a mean GQS of 2.49 ± 1.28 out of 5, and a mean DQT-SS of 4.53 ± 2.35 out of 11. Significant between-group effects were found for the video source and DQT-SS ( = 0.027), as well as between content type and score ( = 0.027), GQS ( = 0.003), and DQT-SS ( = 0.003). Positive independent predictors of DQT-SS included video duration in seconds (β = 0.391) and disease-specific information content type (β = 0.648). Videos on YouTube regarding de Quervain's tenosynovitis were frequently viewed; however, the information present was of low quality and reliability. Physician-uploaded videos had the highest mean scores, GQS, and DQT-SS, but had the second-lowest mean number of views of video sources. Patients should receive proper in-office education and be directed toward reputable resources for their orthopaedic conditions.

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