"Does My Kid Have an Ear Infection?" An Analysis of Pediatric Acute Otitis Media Videos on TikTok

Laryngoscope. 2024 Dec;134(12):5184-5192. doi: 10.1002/lary.31617. Epub 2024 Jul 4.

Abstract

Introduction: With the rise of social media, online platforms have become a common way to access healthcare information. This study examines the quality of pediatric acute otitis media (AOM) videos on TikTok, a popular short-form video social media platform.

Methods: A TikTok search was conducted between 8/18 and 8/19/2023 using pediatric AOM hashtags: #pediatric acute otitis media management, #kid ear infections remedy, #child ear infections treatment, and #kid ear infection. Data collected include number of views/shares per day, uploader type (nonmedical influencer, lay individual, and medical professional), and content categories. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Material (PEMAT-AV) and DISCERN questionnaire measured understandability, actionability, and quality of videos. Multivariable linear regression models were used (significance set at ≤0.05).

Results: Of 166 videos, 38.6% (64) of uploaders were medical professionals, and 32.5% (54) were nonmedical influencers. Nonmedical influencer videos were viewed and shared significantly more than those by medical professionals (p < 0.05). Controlling for covariates, physicians were more likely to produce more beneficial and higher quality videos as compared with nonmedical influencers (β = 2.4 and 1.3, p < 0.01, respectively). However, physicians did not have significantly different ratings for understandability compared with nonmedical influencers (β = 0.45, p > 0.05).

Discussion: AOM content on TikTok is often geared toward caretakers of symptomatic children. Although physician-created AOM content was significantly higher quality, these videos reached a statistically smaller audience than those from nonmedical influencers. Addressing misinformation on social media platforms requires physicians to reach larger audiences by producing more actionable and understandable content.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 134:5184-5192, 2024.

Keywords: acute otitis media; healthcare education; public health; social media.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Otitis Media*
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Social Media*
  • Video Recording*