Quality and reliability of headache-related information on YouTube: a cross-sectional analysis using DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 78 - 82, 05.01.2026

Safiye Kübra Çetindağ Karatlı

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1806392

https://izlik.org/JA87TE73GR

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the information quality and characteristics of videos related to “headache” on YouTube.
Methods: A search was conducted on YouTube using the keyword “headache,” and the first 100 videos were listed. Repetitive, promotional, and videos shorter than 2 minutes were excluded; 72 videos were included in the analysis. The videos were evaluated by two researchers using DISCERN, JAMA, and the Global Quality Scale (GQS). The number of views, likes, duration, and uploader type were recorded. SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The average video duration was 8.4±3.2 minutes, and the average number of views was 45,200±18,600. Thirty-eight percent of the videos were uploaded by physicians/institutions, and 62% were uploaded by individual users. The mean GQS score was 2.3±0.9 (moderate quality), DISCERN 31.2±7.5, and JAMA 2.1±0.8. Professional content had significantly higher quality scores (p<0.01). There was no significant relationship between the number of views and quality (p=0.37).
Conclusion: Most headache videos on YouTube are of low-to-moderate quality. Physicians should consider that information obtained by patients from online sources may not be reliable; healthcare professionals should produce higher-quality content.

Keywords

YouTube , headache , DISCERN , JAMA , global quality scale , digital health

YouTube’daki baş ağrısı ile İlgili bilgilerin kalitesi ve güvenilirliği: DISCERN, JAMA ve GQS kullanılarak yapılan kesitsel bir analiz

https://izlik.org/JA87TE73GR

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, YouTube’daki “baş ağrısı” ile ilgili videoların bilgi kalitesi ve niteliklerini değerlendirmektir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: YouTube’da “baş ağrısı” anahtar kelimesi ile arama yapıldı ve ilk 100 video listelendi. Tekrarlayan, reklam amaçlı, 2 dakikadan kısa videolar dışlandı; 72 video analize dahil edildi. Videolar DISCERN, JAMA ve Global Quality Scale (GQS; Küresel Kalite Ölçeği) kullanılarak iki araştırmacı tarafından değerlendirildi. İzlenme sayısı, beğeni, süre, yükleyici tipi kaydedildi. İstatistiksel analiz için SPSS 23.0 kullanıldı.
Bulgular: Ortalama video süresi 8,4±3,2 dakika, izlenme sayısı 45.200±18.600 idi. Videoların %38’i hekim/kurum, %62’si bireysel kullanıcılarca yüklenmişti. Ortalama GQS skoru 2,3±0,9 (orta kalite), DISCERN 31,2±7,5, JAMA 2,1±0,8 bulundu. Profesyonel içerikler anlamlı derecede daha yüksek kalite puanına sahipti (p<0,01). İzlenme sayısı ile kalite arasında anlamlı ilişki yoktu (p=0,37).
Sonuç: YouTube’daki baş ağrısı videolarının çoğu düşük-orta kaliteye sahiptir. Hekimler, hastaların çevrimiçi kaynaklardan edindikleri bilgilerin güvenilir olmadığını göz önünde bulundurmalı; sağlık profesyonelleri ise daha kaliteli içerikler üretmelidir.

Keywords

YouTube , baş ağrısı , DISCERN , JAMA , global quality scale , dijital sağlık

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