TikTok as a platform for hysteroscopy information: An analytical video-based cross-sectional study to assess quality, reliability, and accuracy

Vitale, Salvatore Giovanni;Angioni, Stefano;Saponara, Stefania;Sicilia, Gilda;Etrusco, Andrea;D'Alterio, Maurizio Nicola;Cobellis, Luigi;De Franciscis, Pasquale;Riemma, Gaetano

In press

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Abstract

Objective: To assess the quality, reliability, and level of misinformation in TikTok videos about hysteroscopy. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of TikTok videos retrieved using "hysteroscopy" as search term was performed. Patient education materials assessment tool for audio-visual content (PEMAT A/V), the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), global quality scale (GQS), video information and quality index (VIQI) and misinformation assessment were used. Results: Of three hundred videos captured, 156 were excluded and 144 were included. Most videos were partially accurate or uninformative (43.8% and 34.7%, respectively). Non-healthcare providers produced more inaccurate or uninformative videos than healthcare workers (51.1% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to content by professionals, content by patients showed increased distrust towards gynecologists (11.7% vs 0%; P = 0.012) and increased incidence of anxiety and concern towards hysteroscopy (25.5% vs 2%; P < 0.001). PEMAT A/V scores for understandability and actionability were low at 42.9% (interquartile range [IQR]: 11.1-70) and 0% (IQR: 0-0), respectively. Understandability (P < 0.001) and actionability (P = 0.001) were higher for professionals' created content relative to patients' videos. Similarly, median mDISCERN score was low (1 [IQR 0-2]), with significantly higher score for healthcare professionals compared to patients (P < 0.001). Overall video quality was also low, with median VIQI and GQS score of 7 (IQR 4-11) and 1 (IQR 1-3), respectively, and significantly higher scores for healthcare workers' captions compared to patients' for both (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: TikTok videos' quality on hysteroscopy seems unsatisfactory and misinformative, with low understandability and actionability scores. Videos recorded by healthcare workers show higher quality and less misinformation than those by patients. Raising the awareness regarding the low quality of medical information on social media is crucial to increase future reliability and trustworthiness.