Learning knee arthrocentesis using YouTube videos

Background This study aims to compare medical students' educational outcomes in performing knee arthrocentesis through searching and using YouTube videos versus traditional supervisor-led sessions. Method Seventy-one medical students were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A had a traditional supervisor-led clinical session, where the supervisor demonstrated the procedure. Students in group B were provided with links to YouTube videos of knee arthrocentesis that were deemed to be of high educational quality, whereas group C searched and learned from any YouTube video that they found themselves based on the learning objectives provided. Student performance was first examined following the learning sessions, and then again after receiving feedback on the performance. Results Prior to feedback, statistically significant higher mean scores were noted for group A in the identification of an appropriate puncture site (p = 0.015), puncture site sterilization (p = 0.046), wearing sterile gloves (p < 0.001) and direction of needle insertion (p < 0.001). The overall mean scores (maximum possible score is 21) before feedback for groups A, B and C were 17.9 +/- 1.9, 14.9 +/- 2.0 and 15.4 +/- 1.8, respectively (p < 0.001). The overall mean scores after feedback for groups A, B and C were 21.0 +/- 0.0, 20.9 +/- 0.3 and 21.0 +/- 0.0, respectively (p = 0.037). Conclusion Students performed equally whether they were provided with videos or found their own; however, without appropriate learner feedback from an instructor, YouTube videos cannot replace traditional supervisor-led sessions for learning knee arthrocentesis.