ArticleTherapeutic advances in urology
YouTube as a source of patient information on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a cross-sectional study of quality, reliability, transparency, and content gaps.
Article in Therapeutic advances in urology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: YouTube is widely used by patients seeking information about robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), but the reliability, transparency, and counseling coverage of RARP-related videos remain variable, particularly in a fragmented and search-driven digital environment. Objectives: To evaluate the quality, reliability, transparency, and patient-oriented counseling coverage of YouTube videos on RARP and identify underrepresented topics relevant to shared decision-making. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: YouTube was searched on February 16, 2026, using "robotic radical prostatectomy," "RARP prostate," and "da Vinci prostatectomy" in incognito mode. After duplicate removal and eligibility assessment, 174 videos were included. Video characteristics, uploader type, target audience, and format were recorded. Educational quality, reliability, and transparency were assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), modified DISCERN, and Results: Among 174 videos, 93.7% targeted patients. Median duration was 3.09 min (interquartile range (IQR), 1.92-5.91), and median view count was 1658 (IQR, 371-9747). Educational quality and reliability were low to moderate (median GQS 2 (IQR, 2-3); modified DISCERN 2 (IQR, 2-3)). Transparency was limited (median JAMA 2 (IQR, 1-2)), with only 10.9% achieving JAMA ⩾3. Clinically important counseling topics were frequently underrepresented, including postoperative prostate-specific antigen follow-up (84.5%), complications/complication rates (55.2%), erectile dysfunction (40.8%), urinary continence outcomes (39.7%), and recovery timeline (31.6%). Transparency differed by uploader type ( Conclusion: YouTube provides accessible and highly searchable information on RARP; however, the reliability, transparency, and coverage of key counseling-related topics vary considerably across videos. While short-form or highly specialized content may help address specific patient questions, important topics related to complications, functional outcomes, and postoperative follow-up are frequently underrepresented. Development of patient-centered and platform-adapted educational frameworks may improve the balance, transparency, and practical value of YouTube-based patient education in RARP. Trial registration: Not applicable.
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