Neurosurgical Videos on YouTube

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Julio Leonardo Barbosa Pereira¹, Felipe Batalini², Pieter L. Kubben³, Lucas Alverne Freitas de Albuquerque¹, Bernardo Andrada⁴, Pollyana Magalhães¹, Gervásio Teles C. de Carvalho¹, Eberval Gadelha Figueiredo⁵

• ¹Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
• ²Associação de Combate ao Câncer em Goiás, Goiás, GO, Brazil
• ³Department of Neurosurgery, Medicine and Life Sciences Education, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
• ⁴Hospital Estadual Getúlio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
• ⁵Department of Neurosurgery, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction?Videos can become valuable teaching tools and YouTube is a useful tool to disseminate information. It was created in February, 2005; since then, there has been a rapid expansion of YouTube videos on several subjects. Neurosurgery is not an exception in this trend, and several channels on the topic are available at the YouTube website.

Methods?We analyzed many articles related to the theme in several medicine specialties. In this study, we balance the pros and cons of this new technology, to foster a discussion of these changes, as well as to explain how to create and get the most from it. We also list some interesting channels and their features as examples and suggestions.

Results?YouTube should be the main platform for supporting instructional videos, although it is important to be cautious at this time, as the platform still lacks good quality videos.

Conclusion?This technology could turn into a very important tool for learning and teaching neurosurgery. Educational institutions should guide an effort for better quality videos and broader content coverage, which could also achieve superior training at no cost.