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YouTube videos on knee arthrocentesis lacked educational value
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Videos on knee arthrocentesis posted by health care professionals on YouTube had a low to average mean global score for educational value, according to recent study results.
Researchers in Switzerland sought to evaluate the educational value of YouTube videos on knee arthrocentesis posted from 2008 to 2012 by health care professionals and institutions. Search terms included “arthrocentesis of the knee, knee aspiration, knee aspiration technique, knee draining” and “knee draining procedure.” A medical resident and a rheumatologist independently used a five-point global score — 1 for poor quality and 5 for excellent educational quality — to evaluate videos for procedural technique and educational value. Swiss Society of Rheumatology guidelines for intra-articular puncture and injection were used as the criterion standard.
Thirteen videos met study inclusion from more than 1,000 hits generated during the search. The videos’ average length was 3.31 ± 2.28 minutes, with the most viewed video averaging 1,388 hits per month. Educational value mean global score was 3.1 ± 1.0, with eight videos considered educationally useful.
All evaluated videos included the use of a “no-touch’ procedure, in which once the skin is disinfected, it remains untouched before needle presentation. Full sterile conditions, including disinfection and use of drapes and sterile gloves, were demonstrated in six videos. The medial approach was demonstrated in eight videos; the lateral approach appeared in five.
“We have identified a discreet number of YouTube videos on knees arthrocentesis that are suitable for application in Web-based learning for medical students, fellows and residents,” the researchers concluded. “Regrettably, even when posted by health professionals, we have considered YouTube content to be of insufficient and inconsistent educational quality. Improving the quality of instructional materials, search engine optimization and adaptation to changing guidelines remain important challenges for health professionals wishing to utilize non-peer-reviewed Web-based resources as educational materials in the future.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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