Abstract
Social media platforms like TikTok have become a source of health information, particularly for younger audiences, but concerns remain about the accuracy and reliability of this content. This study assessed the quality, engagement, and sentiment of TikTok videos on sudden cardiac death (SCD), comparing healthcare professional (HCP) and non-HCP creators. Using Exolyt, the top 100 videos under two popular SCD hashtags were screened, and 83 met inclusion criteria. Engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares) and creator type were recorded, and quality was assessed with DISCERN, modified JAMA benchmarks, and a modified CRAAP test. Non-HCP videos achieved significantly higher engagement, with greater median reshares (p = 0.0050), favourited counts (p = 0.0495), and engagement rates (p = 0.0014). In contrast, HCP videos demonstrated higher quality scores, performing significantly better on the DISCERN (p < 0.0001), JAMA (p < 0.0001), and CRAAP (p < 0.0001) assessments. They were also more likely to present clear aims (p = 0.0023) and to describe benefits (p = 0.0030) and risks (p = 0.0005) of treatments. Sentiment analysis found no significant difference, though non-HCP videos were more often positive (59.1% vs. 40.9%, p = 0.332). In summary, HCPs produce more accurate and reliable content, while non-HCPs achieve greater reach and interaction. Enhancing the visibility of evidence-based content may require collaborations between HCPs and creators or platform-level interventions.
Data availability
The datasets created in this study will be available from the corresponding author upon reasonable written request after the publication.
Abbreviations
- CRAAP:
-
Currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose
- HCP:
-
Health care professionals
- IQR:
-
Interquartile range
- non-HCP:
-
non health care professionals
- SCD:
-
Sudden cardiac death
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Data review and collection done by MB. AJ, FMU and SS. Statistical analysis was done by RK & VB. Study design and critical review done by MR, VB, FAZ, and RK. MR, VB, FAZ, and RK are the guarantors of the paper, taking responsibility for the integrity of the work, from inception to published article.
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Bansal, M., Jalal, A., Usman, F.M. et al. Quality of TikTok videos on sudden cardiac death varies by video characteristics and health information accuracy. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39081-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39081-7
