Bethany Russell, David Lawrence
Mission Gait Foundation, Virginia, USA
BACKGROUND
High quality medical education videos on Youtube have the potential to reduce healthcare spending, improve patients’ quality of life, and reduce health disparities (1,2). Mission Gait Foundation’s YouTube channel provides educational resources on gait rehabilitation, with a focus on prosthetic and orthotic interfaces. Engagement has increased from viewers aged 65+ and from low- and middle-income nations, indicating the platform’s potential to disseminate advanced rehabilitation knowledge globally and combat health disparities.
AIM
Demonstrate the efficacy of free online education in spreading high-income nation rehabilitation information to low- and middle-income nations while promoting empowerment among older adults.
METHOD
YouTube analytics were utilized to assess trends in viewer demographics over time. The data focused on the percentage of viewers aged 65+ and the percentage of views from low- and middle-income nations. Content on the channel includes detailed videos on gait rehabilitation techniques, prosthetic and orthotic management, and educational material for caregivers and professionals. Trends were analyzed to determine the reach and impact of the educational content on targeted demographics.
RESULTS
Analytics indicated a significant increase in the percentage of viewers aged 65+ and those from low- and middle-income nations between 2017 and 2023. Specifically, the watch time of viewers aged 65+ increased 11.5% (from 9.2% to 20.7%), while views from low- and middle-income nations increased 20.4% (from 4% to 24.4%). This trend suggests a growing global audience benefiting from the content, indicating that the channel is effectively reaching and engaging these critical demographics.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The increasing engagement from older adults and viewers in low- and middle-income nations underscores the potential of this replicable method using online education platforms in addressing global health disparities. Mission Gait Foundation’s YouTube channel demonstrates that providing accessible, high-quality educational content can empower individuals and healthcare providers worldwide, promoting better health outcomes and reducing inequalities in gait rehabilitation knowledge and practice.
REFERENCES
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