Health Information: A Literature Review on YouTube as a Source for Healthcare Information

Authors

  • Alfredo Betancourt Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  • Natalia Campillo Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  • Claudia Mieres Universidad Complutense de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35669/rcys.2021.11.e207

Keywords:

YouTube, health information, healthcare information on YouTube, healthcare information on internet, e-health

Abstract

The aim of this research is to critically review peer-reviewed literature addressing YouTube as a source for healthcare information. A systematic research has been done through scientific database PubMed, retrieving articles published from Jan. 2017 to Apr. 2020, that included free-access YouTube videos content analysis. Results: 40% of articles reviewed focused their study on illnesses or diseases; median number of videos analyzed is 94; most frequent scoring systems are DISCERN (n=16), followed by JAMA and GQS; the majority of analysis also collect YouTube data and combines it with self-made indicators to measure video’s popularity. Researchers tend to classify contents as unreliable and as of poor-quality, particularly those uploaded by users or general information channels. This review concludes that, in general, it is necessary to improve content’s quality, reliability and usefulness, as well as the relevance of medical institutions and professional-made contents in the platform. 

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Author Biographies

Alfredo Betancourt, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Al tiempo de escribir este artículo, estudiante del Máster de Comunicación de las Organizaciones de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y graduado en Relaciones Internacionales por dicha universidad. Es consultor Jr. de reputación corporativa en la firma de consultoría TrustMaker y formador de argumentación y oratoria en la Universidad Complutense.

Natalia Campillo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Estudiante del Máster de Comunicación de las Organizaciones de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid al momento de escribir este artículo. Periodista por la Universidad de Murcia (UMU) y redactora SEO sobre finanzas y entidades bancarias en Grupo Fibonad, uno de los mayores grupos de publicidad digital a nivel internacional en los segmentos de Branding y Performance.

Claudia Mieres, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

En el momento de elaboración de esta investigación, estudiante del máster de Comunicación de las Organizaciones de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y graduada en Periodismo por la Universidad de Valladolid. También trabaja en prácticas en el Departamento de Comunicación y Marketing del Consejo General de la Abogacía Española. Sus líneas de investigación se centran en la comunicación corporativa y organizacional y en la comunicación de crisis.

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Published

2021-04-19

How to Cite

Betancourt, A., Campillo, N., & Mieres, C. (2021). Health Information: A Literature Review on YouTube as a Source for Healthcare Information. Revista De Comunicación Y Salud, 11, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.35669/rcys.2021.11.e207

Issue

Section

Antidote to fake news: best practices in health communication

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