Breath of Change: Evaluating Asthma Information on TikTok and Introducing the Video Health Information Credibility Score

Bilal Irfan; Ihsaan Yasin; Aneela Yaqoob

doi:10.7759/cureus.54247

Breath of Change: Evaluating Asthma Information on TikTok and Introducing the Video Health Information Credibility Score

Cureus. 2024 Feb 15;16(2):e54247. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54247. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Authors

Bilal Irfan¹, Ihsaan Yasin², Aneela Yaqoob³

Affiliations

¹ Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
² Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
³ Infectious Diseases, Beaumont Hospital, Taylor, USA.

Abstract

Introduction Asthma's global prevalence underscores the need for accessible health information dissemination, especially in the digital age. TikTok, known for its wide reach and diverse content, presents both opportunities and challenges in health information dissemination. This study aims to characterize the quality and reach of asthma-related content on TikTok and introduces the Video Health Information Credibility Score (VHICS) as a novel tool for quality assessment. Materials and methods We used a systematic methodology to analyze the top 100 TikTok videos by the number of likes tagged with #asthma. Data were collected in June 2023 and January 2024 to allow for temporal trend analysis. Videos were evaluated based on engagement metrics (views, likes, comments, shares, and favorites) and quality using the DISCERN instrument. Results Our analysis showed that physician-generated content accounted for a significant proportion of asthma-related videos, with varying levels of engagement. The DISCERN scores, with a range of 1 (lowest) to 5 highest), provided insights into content quality, revealing trends in user engagement and information reliability over time. Temporal analysis indicated changes in content creation and audience interaction. Discussion The study highlights the evolving landscape of digital health communication on TikTok. The introduction of VHICS added depth to the quality assessment of future directions, indicating the necessity for accurate and reliable health information on social media. The findings suggest an imperative for healthcare professionals to address misinformation and leverage digital platforms for patient education effectively. Conclusions TikTok is a significant medium for health information dissemination, with substantial potential for impact in patient education. The introduction of VHICS can enrich the analysis of video content, offering a robust tool for assessing the quality of health information on social media. This study underscores the importance of credible, clear, and audience-relevant health communication in the digital era.

Keywords: asthma; digital health education; online patient education; social media analytics; tiktok; vhics.