Urologists Explore the Validity of Urologic Information on Social Media

• Kymora B. Scotland, MD, from the University of California, Los Angeles, characterized the public’s interaction with online information on recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), and recurrent UTI patient concerns. ”Public Interest in Online Information on Recurrent UTIs is Greatest for Information with the Poorest Publication Quality.”
• John Fastenau, from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, identified how TikTok contributes to misinformation regarding the COVID-19 virus, vaccination, and male infertility. “Misinformation on TikTok about the Effect of COVID-19 Infections and Vaccinations on Male Fertility.”
• Annie Chen, MD, from the Renaissance School of Medicine with Stony Brook University, investigated the quality of information on YouTube for medical education. “YouTube an Effective Patient Educational Resource? Content Analysis of the Top 50 BPH Videos.”
• Arshia Sandozi, DO, from Maimonides Medical Center, evaluated the presence of misinformation and quality of TikTok posts related to overactive bladder (OAB). “Quality of Overactive Bladder Videos on Social Media: What is the Public Learning from TikTok?”

“For better or worse, social media has become an integral part of the average American's life. It has impacted our culture, our politics, and now we are starting to learn, potentially our health,” said Dr. Dubin. “A large portion of Americans are turning towards YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms for health problems before ever consulting a healthcare provider. If we as physicians are going to provide good care, we must understand how patients are getting their health information and learn how to address the problems that come with medical misinformation online.”