Analysis of YouTube^TM videos related to bowel preparation for colonoscopy

To examine YouTube^TM videos about bowel preparation procedure to better understand the quality of this information on the Internet.

YouTube^TM videos related to colonoscopy preparation were identified during the winter of 2014; only those with ≥ 5000 views were selected for analysis (n = 280). Creator of the video, length, date posted, whether the video was based upon personal experience, and theme was recorded. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine differences between consumers vs healthcare professionals-created videos.

Most videos were based on personal experience. Half were created by consumers and 34% were ≥ 4.5 min long. Healthcare professional videos were viewed more often (> 19400, 59.4% vs 40.8%, P = 0.037, for healthcare professional and consumer, respectively) and more often focused on the purgative type and completing the preparation. Consumer videos received more comments (> 10 comments, 62.2% vs 42.7%, P = 0.001) and more often emphasized the palatability of the purgative, disgust, and hunger during the procedure. Content of colonoscopy bowel preparation YouTube^TM videos is influenced by who creates the video and may affect views on colon cancer screening.

The impact of perspectives on the quality of health-related information found on the Internet requires further examination.