Compliance of the Turkish cardiopulmonary resuscitation videos on YouTube with the 2020 AHA Resuscitation Guidelines: cross-sectional analytical study

INTRODUCTION: Video-sharing platforms have become popular and widely used sources of information today. The Internet is an accessible source for individuals, medical students, and healthcare professionals to acquire knowledge when searching for health-related information. Access to information has increased with the widespread use of the Internet today. Recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and initiating interventions according to current guidelines can be achieved through education. This study aims to assess the accuracy of BLS and CPR videos on YouTube following the 2020 AHA Resuscitation Guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study follows a cross-sectional analytical design. The YouTube website was searched using the following keywords for Turkish videos uploaded from October 21, 2020, to September 7, 2023: 'CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support, CPR, advanced cardiac life support'. October 21, 2020, was chosen as the reference date since it marks the publication date of the 2020 AHA guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 265 Turkish videos were evaluated from all videos uploaded to YouTube. The analysis included 130 videos that met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Turkish BLS and CPR YouTube videos violate the 2020 AHA criteria for offering basic information to the public and cannot teach healthcare workers advanced medical skills. The greater viewing of anonymous sources' videos suggests that non-experts are submitting videos on hot themes to gain viewers. Having these instructional films reviewed before releasing them to YouTube will ensure accurate, complete, and valuable health information and enhance viewing.