The use of Online Videos for Vitreoretinal Surgery Training: A Comprehensive Analysis

INTRODUCTION: The current study aimed to test the quality and educational utility of the videos of retinal detachment surgery available on YouTube.
METHODS: YouTube was searched using the keywords “retinal detachment, retinal detachment surgery” in October 2019. The steps of pars plana vitrectomy surgery were standardized according to the literature. The videos were evaluated in a blinded fashion by two retina specialists with the use of the Modified DISCERN, Health on the Net Foundation (HON)code, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) checklist, and the Global Quality Score (GQS).
RESULTS: A total of 125 videos were reviewed. The total surgery score was 3.11 (2.16–3.67 IQR), and the most commonly shown surgical stages were photocoagulation and core vitrectomy (n = 99 [79.2%] and n = 97 [77.6%], respectively). In the multivariate linear regression model, the duration of video (minutes) (β- Coefficient 0.033, p<0.001), the HONcode score (β-Coefficient 0.310, p=0.005), and GQS (β-Coefficient 0.768, p<0.001) were associated with better educational content, whereas JAMA and Modified DISCERN scores were not.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: So far, the educational value of YouTube videos has been unsatisfactory. Assessing the videos using tools such as HONcode, video duration and GQS may provide better educational perspective to ophthalmology trainees.