Scoring criteria:
The DISCERN instrument was used to evaluate the videos. The DISCERN tool
was developed in 1999 in order to systematically judge the quality of
patient information literature used to explain treatment options
(7). The tool consists of 16 questions
about both the reliability of the publication as well as the quality of
information. Each question was rated from 1 to 5 with higher score
representing more comprehensive explanation. The total score ranged from
16 to 80. Although the DISCERN tool was originally designed for written
material, it has been used in the assessment of YouTube videos in
medicine and also in otolaryngology
(8-10).
In addition to this, an Essential and Ideal Video Completeness (EIVC)
Criteria was developed by the senior authors (NP and NJ) to be the
minimum information points required by a patient to make an informed
decision regarding consent for cholesteatoma treatment (Table 1). The
three senior authors (NP, NJ and HC) have a combined experience of over
20 years in otologic practice in managing cholesteatoma. Audiovisual
quality was assessed as either adequate or inadequate by the reviewers.
All videos were independently scored by the three senior authors (NP, NJ
and HC). The scores were then collated by the fourth author (RR) to
perform the statistical analysis.