Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Most Medical Videos Even By Doctors Online Are Factually Incorrect, Finds Study

Most health videos on YouTube, even those made by doctors are also not reliable medical information, found a new study, published in <em>JAMA Network Open</em>. The researchers reviewed 309 popular YouTube videos on cancer and diabetes and found that fewer than 1 in 5 were supported by high quality scientific evidence. About two-thirds of the view had low, very low or no evidence at all to back up their health claims. 

What was more concerning is that weaker evidence often attracted more viewer than those backed with strong science. The study looked at videos which had at least 10,000 views. The lead author of the study Dr EunKyo Kang of South Korea's National Cancer Center, said, "This reveals a substantial credibility-evidence gap in medical content videos, where physician authority frequently legitimizes claims lacking robust empirical support."

"Our findings underscore the necessity for evidence-based content-creation guidelines, enhanced science communication training for health care professionals, and algorithmic reforms prioritizing scientific rigor alongside engagement metrics," Kang added in a news release.

The researchers reviewed videos from June 20 and 21, 2025, focusing on cancer and diabetes content. 75 per cent of them were made by physicians. The videos had a median count of 164,000 views and a median length of 19 minutes. 

Researchers also developed a scoring system, called E-GRADE to rate the strength of science backed evidence in each video's claim. 

<h3>This is how the grading system worked:</h3>

<ul><li><strong>GRADE A: </strong>high quality evidence</li><li><strong>GRADE B:</strong> standard quality evidence</li><li><strong>GRADE C: </strong>low quality evidence</li><li><strong>GRADE D: </strong>very low or no evidence</li></ul>

<h2>What Were The Results Of The Medical Videos?</h2>

<ul><li><strong>GRADE A: </strong>19.7%</li><li><strong>GRABE B: </strong>14.6%</li><li><strong>GRADE C: </strong>3.2%</li><li><strong>GRADE D:</strong> 62.5%</li></ul>

The study also found that videos with the weakest evidence were 35% more likely to get higher views than videos with strong scientific evidence. 

Richard Saver, a professor of law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill noted that this issue is not just limited to YouTube. "Physician-spread misinformation is a long-standing problem, dating back well before the internet era," he wrote in an accompanying editorial.

Saver said some doctors continue to lean on personal experience rather than solid data, despite evidence-based medicine being regarded as the gold standard. He noted that EBM can feel like it downplays individual clinical judgment. Still, Saver stressed that more research is needed, adding that the study underscores the importance of examining the evidence behind health professionals’ claims on social media.

<h2>How Health And Me Has Helped With Medical Facts</h2>

<em>Health and Me </em>has always stayed a step ahead from medical misinformation and ensured that its readers too consume correct information. <em>Health and Me</em>'s <strong><span rel="noindex">Fact Check</span> </strong>series have consistently ran checks on bizarre medical claims, whether it is about a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/fact-check-is-the-pink-salt-trick-recipe-effective-for-weight-loss-article-152519392" data-type="tilCustomLink">magical potion</a> for weight loss, fake <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fact-check-does-ja-morant-have-lung-cancer-article-153536054" data-type="tilCustomLink">health news</a>, or un-scientific remedies. 

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Most health videos on YouTube, even those made by doctors are also not reliable medical information, found a new study, published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers reviewed 309 popular YouTube videos on cancer and diabetes and found that fewer than 1 in 5 were supported by high quality scientific evidence. About two-thirds of the view had low, very low or no evidence at all to back up their health claims. What was more concerning is that weaker evidence often attracted more viewer than those backed with strong science. The study looked at videos which had at least 10,000 views. The lead author of the study Dr EunKyo Kang of South Korea's National Cancer Center, said, "This reveals a substantial credibility-evidence gap in medical content videos, where physician authority frequently legitimizes claims lacking robust empirical support.""Our findings underscore the necessity for evidence-based content-creation guidelines, enhanced science communication training for health care professionals, and algorithmic reforms prioritizing scientific rigor alongside engagement metrics," Kang added in a news release.How Was The Study Conducted?The researchers reviewed videos from June 20 and 21, 2025, focusing on cancer and diabetes content. 75 per cent of them were made by physicians. The videos had a median count of 164,000 views and a median length of 19 minutes. Researchers also developed a scoring system, called E-GRADE to rate the strength of science backed evidence in each video's claim. This is how the grading system worked:GRADE A: high quality evidenceGRADE B: standard quality evidenceGRADE C: low quality evidenceGRADE D: very low or no evidenceWhat Were The Results Of The Medical Videos?GRADE A: 19.7%GRABE B: 14.6%GRADE C: 3.2%GRADE D: 62.5%The study also found that videos with the weakest evidence were 35% more likely to get higher views than videos with strong scientific evidence. Richard Saver, a professor of law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill noted that this issue is not just limited to YouTube. "Physician-spread misinformation is a long-standing problem, dating back well before the internet era," he wrote in an accompanying editorial.Saver said some doctors continue to lean on personal experience rather than solid data, despite evidence-based medicine being regarded as the gold standard. He noted that EBM can feel like it downplays individual clinical judgment. Still, Saver stressed that more research is needed, adding that the study underscores the importance of examining the evidence behind health professionals’ claims on social media.How Health And Me Has Helped With Medical FactsHealth and Me has always stayed a step ahead from medical misinformation and ensured that its readers too consume correct information. Health and Me's Fact Check series have consistently ran checks on bizarre medical claims, whether it is about a magical potion for weight loss, fake health news, or un-scientific remedies. Fact Check By Health And Me:Fact Check: Does Circumcision Really Cause Autism As Claimed By RFK Jr.?Fact Check: Semen Production Means You Have Healthy Sperms, Here's What The Doctor SaysFact Check: Is The COVID-19 'Lab Leak' Theory Correct?Fact Check: Are Fewer Childhood Vaccines Really “A Better Thing” Under the New CDC Guidelines?Fact Check: Is Weight Lifting Safe for Teens? An Expert Explains the Risks and Safer AlternativesFact Check: Do Heart Attacks Peak in the Early Morning? Here’s What a Doctor SaysFact Check: Does Ja Morant Have Lung Cancer?Fact Check: Can Cold Morning Showers Trigger Brain Stroke?Fact Check: Is The Pink Salt Trick Recipe Effective For Weight Loss?