YouTube as a source of information on infantile colic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: YouTube is increasingly used by patients and parents as a source of information in the field of health. The aim of the study was to measure the quality and reliability levels of the videos published in English on infantile colic (IC) uploaded on YouTube. METHODS: A YouTube search was achieved by two authors using the key words "infantile colic," "baby", "colic", "children" and "treatment". Along with the general features of the videos, their quality and reliability were evaluated according to the global quality score (GQS), modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) score. RESULTS: Among the 55 videos included in the study, 25 (55.6%) were high quality, 19 (42.2%) medium quality and 11 (2.2%) low quality. The mDISCERN and GQS scores of the videos in the useful group were higher than those in the misleading group (p < 0.001). Videos uploaded by academic institutes and physicians had higher mDISCERN and GQS scores than other groups (p = 0.045, p = 0.005) and positive correlation detected between mDISCERN and GQS scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IC videos broadcasted on YouTube, whose usage rates are increasing with the COVID-19 pandemic, are a useful data source for patients/parents. Digital video resources provided by academic institutions, universities and healthcare professionals can assist physicians and parents in IC pathophysiology and treatment.

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