‘How to stop a nosebleed’: a combined objective and subjective assessment of YouTube videos on first-aid management of epistaxis

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveA previous study in 2016 found that the quality of YouTube videos on epistaxis first-aid management was highly variable. This study aimed to reassess the accuracy and patient understandability of such YouTube videos.MethodYouTube was searched using the phrase ‘How to stop a nosebleed’. The highest 50 ranking videos, based on relevance, were screened. Each video was assessed objectively using a standardised ‘advice score’, and subjectively using a video understandability and actionability checklist, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (‘PEMAT-A/V’).ResultsThe mean advice score was 4.1 out of 8. The mean (standard deviation) understandability and actionability scores were 76 per cent (17 per cent) and 89 per cent (18 per cent), respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the actionability scores and the advice scores (ρ = 0.634; p < 0.001), and between the actionability scores and the understandability scores (ρ = 0.519; p = 0.002).ConclusionYouTube videos are providing increasingly relevant advice for patients seeking healthcare information. YouTube is proposed as a useful medium for teaching epistaxis management to patients and community practitioners.