Evaluation of the quality and reliability ff YouTube videos on gender dysphoria

Abstract

Purpose: Many people search for information on YouTube on almost every medical topic. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and reliability of YouTube videos concerning Gender Dysphoria. Methods: We searched for Gender Dysphoria on YouTube on June 7, 2023 and conducted a detailed evaluation of the first 100 unique English videos by two expert observers. The videos were evaluated using modified DISCERN scale, Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Video Power Index (VPI). Results: The kappa coefficient for interobserver agreement was 0.892. For all 100 videos, the median value of the modified DISCERN score was 2.5 (1-4.8), and GQS score was 3 (1-5), and 68% of the videos rated as poor to moderate reliability and quality (modified DISCERN score ≤3, GQS ≤3). Reliable videos were uploaded by professional sources in a higher rate than unreliable videos (48% vs 12%, pandlt;0.001). Reliable videos had significantly higher modified DISCERN and GQS scores (3 vs 1.6, pandlt;0.001, 3.5 vs 2, pandlt;0.001;respectively). There were some significant correlations between some video characteristics and scores of quality and reliability scales. However, there was no significant difference between reliable and unreliable videos in terms of the popularity of video and no significant correlation between modified DISCERN and GQS scores and VPI (p=0.664, p=0.201, p=0.566;respectively). Conclusion: YouTube video quality for Gender Dysphoria was low to moderate, with a remarkable number of unreliable videos. There was no relation between video quality and popularity.