Evaluation of the quality of thyroidectomy-related posts on a video-based social media platform

ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of thyroidectomy-related posts on TikTok, the fastest-growing social media platform worldwide.MethodsVideos posted from April 2020 to September 2022 were queried on TikTok using the search terms "thyroidsurgery," "thyroidectomy," and "thyroidremoval." Two reviewers recorded thematic, demographic, and performance data of these posts. The DISCERN instrument was used to evaluate the quality and reliability of the information contained in the videos. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize post-submitter demographics and video content. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between DISCERN scores and video characteristics. Univariate analysis of variance was performed to compare DISCERN scores between author types.ResultsIn this study, 228 TikTok videos were included which totaled over 23 million views. On average, each video accumulated more than 6000 "likes," 300 comments, and 70 shares. The average total DISCERN score was 27.46, which is deemed to be of poor overall quality. Upon multiple linear regression, video duration (beta = 4.66, p < .001) and educational subject type (beta = 3.97, p < .001) significantly positively predicted aggregate DISCERN scores, while journey subject type (beta = -3.19, p = .006), and reassurance subject type (beta = -2.52, p = .035) significantly negatively predicted aggregate DISCERN scores. Aggregate DISCERN scores varied significantly (p < .05) between author types.ConclusionSocial media posts on TikTok about thyroidectomy are mostly of poor quality and reliability but vary by authorship, subject type, and video characteristics. Given its widespread popularity, TikTok videos may have an increasing role in shaping patient perception of thyroidectomy and may represent an opportunity to provide education.Lay summaryTikTok posts about thyroidectomy are mostly of poor quality but vary by authorship, subject, and video characteristics. Given its popularity, TikTok videos may have a role in shaping the patient perception of thyroidectomy and may represent an opportunity to provide education.Level of evidenceLevel 4.