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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Sep 16, 2014; 6(9): 432-435
Published online Sep 16, 2014. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v6.i9.432
Analysis of YouTube™ videos related to bowel preparation for colonoscopy
Corey Hannah Basch, Grace Clarke Hillyer, Rachel Reeves, Charles E Basch
Corey Hannah Basch, Rachel Reeves, Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, United States
Grace Clarke Hillyer, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States
Charles E Basch, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
Author contributions: Basch CH and Basch CE conceptualized the study; Reeves R and Basch CH collected the data; Hillyer GC analyzed the data; all authors contributed to writing and editing the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Supported by National Institute of Health, No. 1U24 CA171524 (to Grace Clarke Hillyer)
Correspondence to: Corey Hannah Basch, EdD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, Wing 150, Wayne, NJ 07470, United States. baschc@wpunj.edu
Telephone: +1-973-7202603 Fax: +1-973-7202215
Received: May 28, 2014
Revised: July 19, 2014
Accepted: September 4, 2014
Published online: September 16, 2014
Processing time: 113 Days and 17.3 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To examine YouTube™ videos about bowel preparation procedure to better understand the quality of this information on the Internet.

METHODS: YouTube™ videos related to colonoscopy preparation were identified during the winter of 2014; only those with ≥ 5000 views were selected for analysis (n = 280). Creator of the video, length, date posted, whether the video was based upon personal experience, and theme was recorded. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine differences between consumers vs healthcare professionals-created videos.

RESULTS: Most videos were based on personal experience. Half were created by consumers and 34% were ≥ 4.5 min long. Healthcare professional videos were viewed more often (> 19400, 59.4% vs 40.8%, P = 0.037, for healthcare professional and consumer, respectively) and more often focused on the purgative type and completing the preparation. Consumer videos received more comments (> 10 comments, 62.2% vs 42.7%, P = 0.001) and more often emphasized the palatability of the purgative, disgust, and hunger during the procedure. Content of colonoscopy bowel preparation YouTube™ videos is influenced by who creates the video and may affect views on colon cancer screening.

CONCLUSION: The impact of perspectives on the quality of health-related information found on the Internet requires further examination.

Keywords: Colon cancer prevention; Bowel preparation; Colonoscopy; Screening; YouTube™; Social media

Core tip: YouTube™ is a major media channel viewed by millions each day. Despite this reach, there is a paucity of research on the nature and scope of communications related to cancer prevention and control. To our knowledge, this is the first published study analyzing communications through YouTube™ concerning bowel preparation. The content of the YouTube™ videos regarding colonoscopy bowel preparation is influenced by who creates the video. Consumer posted videos generated the majority of comments on this topic.