YouTube is a feasible tool to disseminate educational toxicology videoconferences: The Global Educational Toxicology Uniting Project (GETUP).

Abstract

Introduction: GETUP has filled an important void in global education about poisoning management by linking countries with and without toxicology services through videoconferencing and educating primary healthcare doctors and other health professionals. However, timezone incompatibilities among geographically remote sites may mean some parties are unable to attend all videoconferences. Recorded video is one potential solution for asynchronous learning using GETUP case materials, but its utilization has not been adequately defined. We aimed to assess the feasibility of YouTube to disseminate recorded toxicology videoconferences and analyse its usage. Methods: We performed a review of nine recorded videoconferences recorded on Google Hangouts™ and stored on YouTube™ from March 2014 to August 2015. YouTube Analytics™ data were used to measure web traffic and viewer trends. Results: There were 204 views of the nine videoconferences during the study period. The main groups involved in making the recorded conferences included the Austin Toxicology Service, Victoria, Australia; Fresno Toxicology Service, California, USA and the Emergency Department, Suva, Fiji. The majority of views (59%) were by viewers in the 25 to 34 age bracket. Viewers were located in 20 countries over six continents. Thirty-three percent (67 views) were from 18 states in the USA. Devices used to playback these conferences included computer (93%), mobile phone (5.3%), tablet (1%) and unknown (0.7%). Conclusions: Recorded video available over the Internet is feasible method to disseminate toxicology based educational videoconferences around the world and gather important information about how medical professionals tend to consume case-based toxicology educational contents.