JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Hypertrophic scarring is a condition where excessive connective tissue growth occurs after deep skin injuries such as burns, frostbite, and surgery. This condition not only affects a patient's physical appearance but also causes symptoms like itching, pain, and limited limb function, significantly impacting their quality of life. TikTok, a popular platform for sharing short videos, has shown potential in spreading health information, particularly in educating people about hypertrophic scarring.

Objective:

This study aims to analyze the content and quality of short videos related to hypertrophic scarring on TikTok, providing valuable insights for health information dissemination.

Methods:

This study examined 153 short TikTok videos focusing on hypertrophic scarring. The videos were found by searching for the keywords 'scar hyperplasia' and 'hypertrophic scars' (Language: Chinese). The sources of the videos were thoroughly verified, and the content's comprehensiveness was assessed using a six-core question framework covering definition, signs and symptoms, risk factors, evaluation, management, and outcomes. The reliability and quality of the videos were evaluated using standardized tools such as DISCERN, JAMA benchmarks, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and HON code. In the comprehensive evaluation of video reliability and quality, we calculated the average scores of four assessment methods (labeled as R) to indicate the overall reliability and quality of the videos. The study also explored the potential relationship between video quality and characteristics.

Results:

The analysis showed that healthcare professionals uploaded all videos about treating hypertrophic scarring, which matches the hexagonal radar model analysis findings. The quality assessment scores for JAMA, GQS, DISCERN, and HON code had median values of 1 (IQR 1-2), 2 (IQR 2-3), 2 (IQR 2-3), and 3 (IQR 3-4) respectively, indicating a need to improve the quality and reliability of videos on hypertrophic scarring. Additionally, high-quality videos were more popular, based on metrics such as likes, comments, favorites, and shares (P<.001). Interestingly, the time when the videos were uploaded positively correlated with GQS and DISCERN scores (r=0.374, P<.001; r=0.281, P<.001), while the video length did not significantly correlate with evaluation scores.

Conclusions:

This study emphasizes the need for improved quality and comprehensiveness of short TikTok videos addressing hypertrophic scarring. The information presented should be more reliable and scientifically accurate. When watching videos related to hypertrophic scars, we strongly recommend that viewers prefer content published by healthcare professionals from the Burn Department and Burn Plastic Surgery Department, as well as those from first-tier and emerging first-tier cities. As social media platforms like TikTok increasingly influence health information, viewers should evaluate short videos' scientific validity and reliability before making medical decisions. Moreover, creators of such videos should prioritize scientific accuracy and precision in their content to improve video quality and effectively meet the needs of their audience.