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YouTube as a source of information on robotic knee replacement: a quality analysis
Ebubekir Eravşar1, Musa Ergin2, Mustafa Citak3
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Introduction:
With the rise in robotic-assisted surgery, platforms like YouTube have become popular for patient education. Robotic total knee replacement (RTKR) is frequently featured, but the quality of content remains uncertain. This study evaluated the quality and educational value of YouTube videos on RTKR using standardized scoring systems.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 100 videos related to robotic total knee replacement were identified through YouTube searches, and 38 of them were included in the study. Video characteristics, video sources, and video themes were recorded. Quality and content were assessed using DISCERN, JAMA Benchmark, Global Quality Score (GQS), and the Robotic Total Knee Replacement Score (RTKRS). The RTKRS scoring system was used to investigate the differences between robotic knee replacement and standard knee replacement.
Results:
The median scores were 28.25 for DISCERN, 2 for JAMA, 2 for GQS, and 1 for RTKRS. RTKRS was lower in patient-sourced videos than in physician- and speaker-sourced videos (p < 0.05). General knowledge-themed videos had higher RTKRS scores than patient testimony videos (p = 0.010). A negative correlation was found between view count and RTKRS, while video duration correlated positively with GQS. Only 24% of videos addressed differences in patient satisfaction. 21% discussed potential differences in complication rates, while only 13% covered prosthesis survival. In contrast, 82% mentioned alignment differences, and just 11% addressed cost differences.
Conclusions:
Despite the increasing accessibility of robotic surgery information online, the quality of YouTube videos on robotic total knee replacement was generally low. Patient-generated content was particularly lacking in educational value, while professionally produced general information videos demonstrated better quality scores. Critical topics such as complication rates, prosthesis longevity, and patient satisfaction were underrepresented, suggesting a need for improved and more balanced online educational resources.
