Is Youtube an Adequate and Relıable Source for Calcaneal Spur?

YouTube contains videos that provide information about many health conditions. Patients and healthcare professionals frequently use YouTube to obtain information. The calcaneal spur (heel spur) is a bony outgrowth of the calcaneal tuberosity in the form of osteophytes. In this study, we aimed to determine the quality and reliability of YouTube videos about the calcaneal spur, whose prevalence increases with age and is more common in those with osteoarthritis.

Search was made with the keywords 'Calcaneal spur' and 'heel spur'. Of the 300 videos reviewed, 104 were included in the study. The number of days since the videos were uploaded, the number of views, likes, dislikes, comments and the duration of the videos were recorded. The DISCERN tool and the Global Quality Scale (GQS) were used to evaluate the reliability and quality of the videos.

Most of the video presenters were healthcare professionals (79.80%). In 65.4%, the target audience was patients. 61.4% of the videos were low quality, 32.69% medium quality, 5.77% high quality. There was no difference between health professionals and non-health professionals in terms of quality and reliability.

This study showed that most of the information provided by YouTube videos about the calcaneal spur is not reliable and inconsistent. YouTube should consider collaborating with database platforms, which is constantly updated and equipped with evidence-based information, to provide reliable health information on many health issues, including the calcaneal spur.