Analysis of YouTube videos as a source of information for myocarditis during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this study, we aimed to examine the content, reliability, and quality of YouTube video contents concerning myocarditis and its association with the COVID-19 for the first time in the literature.

The most viewed 50 videos were included in the analysis. The time since the videos were uploaded, video length, type of image (real/animation), video content, qualify of the uploaders, the number of daily and total views, likes, dislikes, comments and VPI were recorded. The reliability of the videos was determined using the modified DISCERN criteria for consumer health information, while the quality was determined with the GQS.

The mean length of the videos was found as 6.25 ± 5.20 min. Contents of the videos included general information, COVID-19, vaccination, diagnosis, patient experience and treatment. The most common contents were regarding COVID-19 and vaccination by 44%. The uploaders of the videos were classified as physicians, hospital channels, health channels, patients and others. Fourteen (28%) videos were directly uploaded by physicians. The most viewed, liked and disliked videos were uploaded by health channels. The mean VPI score was calculated as 92.89 ± 12.29. The mean DISCERN score of all videos was 3.88 ± 0.77 and the mean GQS score was 3.63 ± 0.85. Reliability and quality of the videos were moderate.

YouTube videos on myocarditis have mostly focused on the associations between myocarditis and COVID-19 disease and vaccination. Health-related contents on YouTube should be subjected to peer review and quality assessment.