Dermatology on YouTube - an update and analysis of new trends.

ABSTRACT

Because YouTube is one of the most popular search engines, it is an instrumental tool to stay up to date on the most relevant dermatology trends and content in order to better direct patients and improve health outcomes. Twelve select terms (i.e. Dermatology, Sun protection, Skin cancer awareness, Skin cancer, Skin condition, Sun safety, Tanning, Melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Skin cancer treatment, Skin cancer prevention) were searched on YouTube. Overall, the results included 240 videos with over 160 million views. Educational content was most prevalent at 35% of the total search results. Of the total videos, 42% were uploaded by or featured a medical health professional (MD, DO, PhD, RN, ND), with 28% involving a board-certified dermatologist. Trends in content type have changed educational and personal videos have increased, while advocacy and advertising have decreased. Most search terms are moving in a positive, informative direction, specifically the term "tanning." Other search terms such as "skin condition" and "skin cancer treatment" should be more closely monitored for misleading and perhaps harmful information. Therefore, dermatologists and other medical personnel should keep pace with relevant and popular dermatology content on YouTube in order to understand, advise, market, educate, and address patients' questions and concerns.