Cutting Through TikTok: Assessing Quality and Usefulness of Mohs Videos–A Cross-Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND Individuals are increasingly using social media to seek health information, including about skin cancer. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is integral to managing these tumors. Thus, patient education and awareness through social media platforms such as TikTok are imperative. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the quality and usefulness of TikTok videos on MMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of TikTok videos was conducted using the DISCERN instrument and a developed usefulness rubric. RESULTS A total of 112 TikTok videos, collectively representing 11.7 million views of the MMS hashtag, were included. Most videos were uploaded by the general population and patients ( n = 81, 72%). Most videos ( n = 81, 72.3%) were classified as poor quality and moderately useful ( n = 69, 61.6%). Only video length had a statistically significant relationship with the DISCERN and usefulness scores. Educational videos had the highest DISCERN (39.3 ± 4.0, equivalent to 2.62 ± 0.27 on a 5-point normalized scale) and usefulness score (9.8 ± 2.4). CONCLUSION This study highlights the poor quality and moderate usefulness of TikTok videos on Mohs micrographic surgery, aligning with the literature on the low quality of health information on social media.