Olfactory Dysfunction and Tiktok: The Underutilization of a Potent Educational and Health Information Resource

Abstract

Objective: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) impacts nearly 1-in-4 adults, many of whom turn to online resources-including social media-for expected prognoses and treatment recommendations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the quality and understandability of OD-related content on TikTok, a social media platform with 1-billion monthly users.Methods: TikTok videos were searched using 30 ODrelated terms. Duplicate, non-English, or non-smell loss related videos were excluded. Video content creators were categorized as otolaryngologist (MD), non-otolaryngologist physician (MD/DO), non-physician healthcare provider, non-healthcare licensed professional, and general users. User engagement was assessed by number of views, likes, comments, shares, duration, and days since upload. Educational quality was assessed using Global Quality Score (GQS) (range:1-5), modified DISCERN score (range:5-25), Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool-Understandability and Actionability (PEMAT-A/U) (range:1-100%), and JAMA Benchmark Criteria (range:0-4).Results: Of 447 videos, 363 were included, amassing 131,509,151 views; 15,477,339 likes; 267,804 comments; and 575,760 shares. Most frequently posted content were user experiences (47%), humor/entertainment (23%), and education (20%). Only 1 (0.28%) was posted by an otolaryngologist [vs. 320 (80%) general users]. Overall, educational quality was poor: GQS (2.28 ± 0.73); modified DISCERN (8.67 ± 2.42); PEMAT-A/U (60.77 ± 33.95, 80.12 ± 19.53); JAMA Benchmark Criteria (0.32 ± 0.52). Videos with higher GQS and DISCERN scores had less likes (p < 0.05). Videos created by general users had lower GQS and DISCERN scores (vs. professionals, p < 0.001).Conclusions: TikTok is used to seek and share information about OD and management strategies. Most educational content is low quality and not created by health professionals. TikTok represents an expansive growing social media platform with opportunities to improve highquality health information resources to the community.