Evaluation of youtube videos as a patient information source on root canal treatment

ABSTRACT Evaluation of YouTube Videos as a Patient Information Source on Root Canal Treatment YouTube, a video sharing site, stands out as one of the most frequently visited digital platforms by patients seeking medical information. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality and reliability of Turkish videos published on YouTube about root canal treatment. In the study, three different keywords were selected using the Google Trends website: "root canal treatment," "root canal therapy," and "endodontic treatment." According to the search results, 120 videos were selected for each keyword, and a total of 360 videos were listed. The URL information, year of upload, duration, speaker's academic profile, the source uploading the video, number of comments, and likes of the 99 videos that met the inclusion criteria were recorded. The quality and reliability of the videos were evaluated using the DISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS) scales. The average scores using the DISCERN and GQS scales were 27.95±693 and 1.83±0.77, respectively. According to the DISCERN scoring, 47 of the videos were categorized as "very poor," 37 as "poor," and 15 as "fair." None of the analyzed videos were in the "good" or "excellent" categories. As a result of the GQS scoring, 81 videos were in the "low quality," 16 in the "medium quality," and only 2 videos in the "high quality" category. A very strong and significant positive relationship was found between the DISCERN and GQS scales (p<0.001; r=0.917). According to the results of this research, it was determined that the quality and reliability of videos published in Turkish on the YouTube video sharing platform regarding root canal treatment are insufficient and low. There is a need for video content that contains more comprehensive and accurate information about root canal treatment and is prepared by endodontic specialists. It is believed that the publication of only "high quality" videos, after being evaluated using internationally accepted scales, will contribute to better informing patients.