A recent study has revealed that the majority of medical videos on YouTube, even those created by physicians, lack sufficient scientific evidence to support their claims. Researchers at the National Cancer Center in Korea analyzed 309 videos focused on cancer and diabetes, finding that only approximately 20 percent contained content backed by robust scientific data.
The research team, led by Professor Kang Eun-kyo, assessed the videos posted over a two-day period last June, categorizing their medical assertions from A to D based on the level of evidence. While roughly 75 percent of the videos were produced by doctors, the average view count reached 164,000. However, only 19.7 percent achieved an ‘A’ grade, signifying the highest level of scientific rigor. ‘B’ and ‘C’ grades were assigned to 14.6 and 3.2 percent of the videos respectively. A substantial 62.5 percent fell into the ‘D’ category, indicating a near or complete absence of supporting evidence.
The study, recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open, also found that videos with weaker scientific foundations garnered 35 percent more views, on average, than those based on stronger evidence. This suggests a potential disconnect between the perceived authority of medical professionals and the actual quality of information disseminated online, according to the researchers.
Professor Kang emphasized that the findings demonstrate how the authority of physicians can inadvertently lend credibility to claims lacking empirical support. He called for the development of evidence-based content creation guidelines, enhanced scientific communication training for medical professionals, and improvements to platform algorithms to prioritize scientifically rigorous content. The findings echo concerns raised earlier this month by health officials regarding the proliferation of unsubstantiated medical advice on social media platforms.
The study highlights a growing concern about the reliability of health information available to the public through online video platforms. While many individuals turn to YouTube for accessible medical guidance, the research indicates a significant risk of encountering inaccurate or misleading content, even when presented by individuals with medical credentials.