Online and digital videos have been widely to educate the population on different matters. From health to environmental studies, the videos are quite effective. Currently, it has been realized that videos could play a significant role in enhancing cancer education. It is an incredible technology that takes into consideration several factors to ensure health literacy. According to leading researchers at The Cancer Health and Justice Lab at Rutgers University, the videos offer great results in cancer health education.
In the research that was later published in the Journal of Cancer Education, the researchers focused on 11 articles. This is to increase the quality of education, especially on preventive health behaviours using digital videos. ‘‘As more and more people are accessing the internet as a medium to gather information on a wide variety of different health topics, digital videos present an opportunity to disseminate and gain knowledge of general health,’’ wrote the authors.
In the study, the team analysed 11 subjects with 3 outcomes including information preference, knowledge and behavioural intention. The experts found out that watching YouTube videos led to better understanding compared to content on platforms such as Twitter. Similarly, watching videos generated better response and stronger attitudes amongst participants. This is in terms of taking the right steps and measures to help reduce cancer risks.
The researchers also noted that with 87% of adult online users who use cellular phones to seek information as the most efficient and preferred choice, short online and digital videos are amazing. They could, therefore, be used to provide timely, quick and customized health information on specific topics. The effectiveness of the videos was also done on a vulnerable population and in the future, it looks at carrying out more studies on social media platforms. This includes targeting active smartphone and social media studies on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
https://www.cancernetwork.com/news/online-and-digital-videos-can-play-key-role-cancer-education