Table 1.

Validated Tools Used to Rate the Quality of YouTube Videos

DISCERN* (80 Possible Points)PEMAT† (15 Possible Points)
Explicit aims (1 to 5 pts)Understandability (10 possible points)
Aims achieved (1 to 5 pts)

  • Content (0 to 1 pts)

  • Clear purpose

  • Word choice and style (0 to 3 pts)

  • Common language, active voice, defines medical terms

  • Organization (0 to 4 pts)

  • Breaks down information into short sections, sections have headers, presented in logical sequence, provides a summary

  • Layout and design (0 to 2 pts)

  • Text easy to read, words easy to hear

  • Use of visuals (0 to 1 pts)

  • Clear illustrations

Relevance to patients (1 to 5 pts)
Sources of information (1 to 5 pts)
Currency (date) of information (1 to 5 pts)
Bias and balance (1 to 5 pts)
Additional sources (1 to 5 pts)
Reference to areas of uncertainty (1 to 5 pts)
How treatment works (1 to 5 pts)
Benefit of treatment (1 to 5 pts)
Risks of treatment (1 to 5 pts)
Consequences of no treatment (1 to 5 pts)
Quality of life (1 to 5 pts)Actionability (4 possible points)
Other treatment options (1 to 5 pts)

  • Clearly identifies at least 1 action

  • Addresses user directly

  • Breaks down action into steps

  • Explains how to use resources to take actions

Shared decision-making (1 to 5 pts)
Overall quality (1 to 5 pts)

  • PEMAT, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool.

  • ↵* DISCERN measures quality of information and decision making.

  • ↵† PEMAT measures understandability and actionability.