Reliability of YouTube videos on knee injection

INTRODUCTION: Intra-articular injection requires a visual learning and the knee is the most commonly used joint for this application. YouTube videos have become a source of visual learning. However, there is a obscurity whether YouTube videos on medical education provide safe and useful information. Therefore, this study aim to evaluate the reliability of YouTube videos on knee joint injection according to the current approach.

METHODS: The term ʺknee joint injection techniqueʺ was used to search the related YouTube videos. The videos were grouped in terms of the uploader, uploading years, and the number of views. The procedure was evaluated and scored for positioning of the patient, palpation of the landmarks, washing hands and wearing gloves, needle approach and entry, drug injection, removing the needle and placing the sponge and finally bandaging.
RESULTS: Of the 61 videos, only 11 (18%) had enough quality. The score of videos uploaded by an institution was significantly higher than others (p=0.006). The score of videos viewed over (n=31) and lower (n=30) than 10000 times was 4.5 (IQR 2.0) and 3.5 (IQR 2.0), respectively (p=0.018). There was no statistical significance between the groups according to uploading years (p=0.694).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: YouTube videos are not enough qualified enaugh reliable visual learning of knee joint injection. The institutional YouTube videos are more educational sources than others. YouTube videos with higher views count also have higher reliability.