YouTube as a Source of Patient Information for Malignant and Benign Primary Bone Tumors

Authors

• Paul G. Guirguis, University of Rochester Medical Center
• Mark Youssef, Arizona School of Health Sciences
• Ankit Punreddy, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• Mina Botros, University of Rochester Medical Center
• Mattie Raiford, University of Rochester Medical Center
• Susan McDowell, University of Rochester Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Cancer Education

Abstract

Primary bone tumors (PBT), whether benign or malignant, can cause significant psychological distress for patients. Many patients seek medical information on YouTube; however, the reliability and educational value of these videos remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the quality, reliability, and educational content of YouTube videos on common benign and malignant PBTs and assess whether specific video characteristics influence these factors. A YouTube search was conducted using the terms “Osteosarcoma,” “Ewing Sarcoma,” “Chondrosarcoma,” “Osteochondroma,” “Enchondroma,” and “Osteoid Osteoma.” The top 50 videos per tumor type were analyzed for video characteristics, uploader attributes, and content quality. Video reliability and educational value were assessed using the Video Power Index (VPI), Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. Videos pertaining to malignant PBTs (n = 99) and benign PBTs (n = 102) were recorded. Video content included disease-specific information (malignant, 38% vs. benign, 32%), patient experience (malignant:41% vs. benign:2%), anatomy/histology visuals (malignant:11% vs. benign:31%), among others. Authors were 25% vs. 12% female, and 57% vs. 54% attending physicians for malignant and benign videos, respectively. Mean JAMA and GQS scores for malignant tumors was 2.6 ± 0.81 and 2.49 ± 0.94, respectively. Mean JAMA and GQS scores for benign tumors was 2.12 ± 0.97 and 2.01 ± 0.91, respectively. The overall quality, reliability, and educational content of YouTube videos on PBTs were inadequate. As YouTube continues to serve as a primary information source, further research should focus on optimizing the creation of high-quality, medically accurate content for patients.

DOI

10.1007/s13187-026-02854-9

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Recommended Citation

Guirguis, Paul G.; Youssef, Mark; Punreddy, Ankit; Botros, Mina; Raiford, Mattie; and McDowell, Susan, "YouTube as a Source of Patient Information for Malignant and Benign Primary Bone Tumors" (2026). SOMA Student Publications. 9.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/soma-student/9