The role of digital resources in surgical education: an analysis of YouTube videos on dynamic stabilization

Abstract

The use of social media platforms like YouTube has surged among patients and their families seeking medical information. Despite the widespread use of video content for health education, no previous study has systematically evaluated the quality of YouTube videos on dynamic spinal stabilization. Methods: A YouTube search using the keyword “dynamic stabilization” was conducted in December 2024. Thirty eligible videos were assessed independently by two neurosurgery specialists using the DISCERN scale. Video characteristics and content quality were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression models. Results: The overall quality of the videos was low, with a mean DISCERN score of 39.15. A negative correlation was found between the number of views and DISCERN score (r = –0.28), while positive correlations were observed between DISCERN scores and video duration (r = 0.19), and between DISCERN-1 and DISCERN-2 scores (r = 0.957). Videos including: a medically trained speaker, explanation of dynamic stabilization differences, surgical procedure details, and pre/post-operative information scored significantly higher, with each factor contributing to an average increase of 7.09 points (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Most YouTube videos on dynamic stabilization offer low-quality and potentially misleading information. Medically trained contributors consistently produce more reliable and informative content, yet such videos often receive less viewer engagement. Increasing the visibility and clarity of evidence-based content is essential to improve patient education through social media