EP.WE.227YouTube as a source of patient information on elective surgery safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aims To evaluate the understandability, actionability and quality of perioperative patient information conveyed by YouTube videos covering safety of elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods YouTube search strategy was optimised using a combination of “COVID”, “safety”, and “surgery” terms. Each video was screened by two independent reviewers. The search was conducted on 9 January 2021. The understandability and actionability of videos were evaluated using validated Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Quality of perioperative patient information was determined with a novel 4-point checklist based on recommendations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The effect of video type on PEMAT and quality scores was assessed with Kruskal-Wallis Test. Scores were correlated with video metrics using Spearman's Rank. Results The primary search revealed 594 videos. After deduplication and exclusions, 108 materials were analysed. Majority of videos (n = 89) originated from the USA, with only 4 produced in the UK. Hospital-produced videos had the highest understandability scores [median (IQR): 83.33% (18.40%)] and patient testimonies the lowest [55.91% (33.24%)] (p=0.002). Hospital materials were also most actionable [2.25 (2.40)], with news reports scoring lowest [0.0 (0.8)] (p=0.049). Social distancing, preoperative COVID-19 testing, and wearing face masks were mentioned in 46, 41, and 48 videos respectively. Only 9 materials recommended self-isolation before surgery. There was no significant correlation between video metrics (e.g., length) and scores. Conclusions Short UK-specific videos should be created to outline accurate patient instructions for elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide reassurance to help reduce the surgical backlog.