"People power" or "pester power"? YouTube as a forum for the generation of evidence and patient advocacy.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: Venoplasty has been proposed, alongside the theory of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite concerns about its efficacy and safety, thousands of patients have undergone the procedure. This paper analyses YouTube videos where patients have shared their treatment experiences. METHODS: Content analysis on the 100 most viewed videos from over 4000 identified in a search for 'CCSVI', and qualitative thematic analysis on p...

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Authors: Mazanderani, F; O'Neill, B; Powell, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Patient education and counseling
• Volume: 93
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 420-425
• Publication date: 2013-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.06.006
• EISSN: 1873-5134
• ISSN: 0738-3991
• Language: English
• Keywords: Social Media; Female; Video Recording; Patient Advocacy; Venous Insufficiency; Internet; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Consumer Health Information; Male; Spine