In recent years, the internet as a platform for delivery of healthcare information has attracted research interest. This study examined YouTube, an internet video-site, to evaluate the source of information, actual content and quality of videos about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The researchers interrogated YouTube using keywords such as ‘Basic Life Support’ and ‘CPR’. Ultimately, having screened 800 videos, 52 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 25 videos (48%) were presented by individuals with no specified credentials; 17% had credentials identified e.g. EMT; 23% were from a private agency; 6% from guideline bodies e.g. Red Cross; and 6% from news channels.
Videos were rated for accuracy of the demonstration (scale from 0-8 with 8 being highest) and for ‘viewability’ (scale from 0-5 with 0 being lowest). No correlation was found between views per day and either accuracy of the content (p=0.40), or viewability (p=0.19).
The researchers identify limitations of their study including the subjective nature of the assessment of ‘viewability’ but, nonetheless, as a result of this preliminary examination, they conclude that YouTube has strong potential for healthcare education both for the general public as well as for healthcare professionals. The authors recommend that authorized bodies involved in CPR education should consider increasing their use of this type of medium for video-assisted learning of CPR especially with the expansion of smartphones and the resulting immediate accessibility of sites such as YouTube.