Pd60-04 “Link in My Bio”: Commercial Bias in Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Videos on Social Media Platforms

You have accessJournal of UrologyEducation Research III (PD60)1 May 2024PD60-04 "LINK IN MY BIO": COMMERCIAL BIAS IN ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TREATMENT VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS Laena Hines, Kaela Mali, Caleb Prus, and Gareth Warren Laena HinesLaena Hines , Kaela MaliKaela Mali , Caleb PrusCaleb Prus , and Gareth WarrenGareth Warren View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001009460.27205.df.04AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Patients are increasingly turning to social media platforms for health information, particularly on sensitive topics like erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. Social media "influencers" have, in turn, commercialized their content, potentially sharing misinformation. This study aims to investigate commercial bias in YouTube (YT) and TikTok (TT) videos related to ED treatment. METHODS: YT and TT were queried by the search term "erectile dysfunction treatment". The top 50 most-liked videos from each platform were scored using the modified DISCERN (m-DISCERN) validated criteria and Patient education materials assessment tool for understandability/actionability (PEMAT U/A) by 3 reviewers such that each video had 2 raters. Exclusion criteria included non-English narration, repeat videos, and videos longer than 20 minutes. The videos were assessed for commercial bias, metrics, content, and misinformation when compared to AUA ED guidelines. Data was analyzed using Fisher's exact and Mann Whitney tests where appropriate, and interrater reliability was measured using intraclass coefficient. RESULTS: YT had higher quality videos than TT in understanding (PEMAT U 82% vs 71%, p=0.03), actionability (PEMAT A 100% vs 67%, p=0.05), and educational content (m-DISCERN 4 vs 1, <0.0001), with good to excellent intraclass coefficients between raters (64%-87%). Commercial bias was present in 78% of TT videos compared to 22% of YT videos. Videos with commercial bias had a significantly lower m-Discern score (1 vs 4, p<0.0001) and PEMAT-U score (70% vs 82%, p=0.005), and were more likely to have misinformation, endorse unregulated supplements, or be posted by a fitness coach or medical spa (Table 1). Videos without commercial bias were more likely to feature a medical provider or urologist, or recommend treatment from the AUA guidelines (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: We found commercial bias to negatively impact the quality of ED treatment presented on YT and TT, resulting in misinformation spread. While health care providers are present on these platforms with higher quality content than their non-medical counterparts, their messages may be lost amidst the growing commercial clickbait on social media. Urologists must remain relevant in such spaces where patients seek sexual health information to counteract misinformation. Source of Funding: N/A © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e1274 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Laena Hines More articles by this author Kaela Mali More articles by this author Caleb Prus More articles by this author Gareth Warren More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...