Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Online videos may facilitate the distribution and use of health evidence across many settings, and thus may be useful for disseminating findings from Cochrane reviews and sharing knowledge and information to a broad, online audience. Video sharing sites (e.g., YouTube) attract over one billion users (about 33% of internet users) of varying ages from around the world.
Objectives: To develop a video lay-summary of a Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) review and explore the potential of disseminating this video through consumer groups.
Methods: We translated the plain language summary of a CEV review into a script, did a pilot recording, and added animation using an online digital media and content creation software (Moovly™). A Cochrane Consumer Network representative and informationist refined the script. We uploaded the completed video onto YouTube and screened the video to CEV staff and Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare affiliates and members for feedback.
Results: The process of translating a Cochrane review into a 6-minute animated video summary takes approximately 30 hours. The verbal script was largely adapted from the plain language summary of the Cochrane review. Overall, feedback from respondents indicated that the videos were educational and would be useful to consumers. Animations helped illustrate some important medical terminology. Respondents suggested that the information in the videos be presented at a lower reading/speaking (e.g., 6th grade) level and cautioned that only the reviews relevant to consumer group’s mission statements would be considered for dissemination on their website. Respondents also expressed concern that the bureaucratic structure of most consumer organizations may delay sharing of the videos and thus compromise their timeliness.
Conclusions: Our video summary has potential to reach and educate an audience that may otherwise find a full Cochrane review or plain language text summary challenging to comprehend or read. Video summaries contribute to meeting the growing demand for high quality medical information. Consumer groups can help disseminate this information.
Objectives: To develop a video lay-summary of a Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) review and explore the potential of disseminating this video through consumer groups.
Methods: We translated the plain language summary of a CEV review into a script, did a pilot recording, and added animation using an online digital media and content creation software (Moovly™). A Cochrane Consumer Network representative and informationist refined the script. We uploaded the completed video onto YouTube and screened the video to CEV staff and Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare affiliates and members for feedback.
Results: The process of translating a Cochrane review into a 6-minute animated video summary takes approximately 30 hours. The verbal script was largely adapted from the plain language summary of the Cochrane review. Overall, feedback from respondents indicated that the videos were educational and would be useful to consumers. Animations helped illustrate some important medical terminology. Respondents suggested that the information in the videos be presented at a lower reading/speaking (e.g., 6th grade) level and cautioned that only the reviews relevant to consumer group’s mission statements would be considered for dissemination on their website. Respondents also expressed concern that the bureaucratic structure of most consumer organizations may delay sharing of the videos and thus compromise their timeliness.
Conclusions: Our video summary has potential to reach and educate an audience that may otherwise find a full Cochrane review or plain language text summary challenging to comprehend or read. Video summaries contribute to meeting the growing demand for high quality medical information. Consumer groups can help disseminate this information.