Patient safety: characterization of YouTube videos.

Objective: To describe how patient safety is addressed in YouTube videos.

Methods: descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data was collected in May 2015, at YouTube's search field, with descriptor "patient safety". The sample included 92 videos, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The videos showed a positive concept of patient safety, based on a systemic vision that attempts to eliminate the traditional punitive culture by promoting a culture of safety.

Conclusions: The use of videos containing high quality information may improve the training process of health students and professionals, as well as raise the individuals' awareness of the importance of their participation in safety issues.