Health anxiety and cyberchondria among patients attending a FamilyMedicine Outpatient Clinic

Health Anxiety and Cyberchondria Among Patients Attending a Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic Introduction and Aim: The increase in health anxiety and cyberchondria affects health-seeking behaviours in a multidimensional way. This situation impacts not only the healthcare system but also individuals' psychological well-being and quality of life. The rise in online health information-seeking behaviour and health anxiety can lead to unnecessary healthcare visits. This study aims to determine the levels of health anxiety and cyberchondria among patients attending a family medicine outpatient clinic and to examine the relationship between them. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Data collection was completed between 19 March 2025 and 10 June 2025. The study included individuals aged 18–65 years who visited the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinics at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. The survey consisted of three sections, including single-choice, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions. Participants completed a sociodemographic information form, the Short Version of the Health Anxiety Inventory, and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: A total of 370 individuals participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 38.73±12.42 years. Of the participants, 64.6% (n=239) were female and 35.4% (n=131) were male. The mean scores on the Health Anxiety Inventory subscales were as follows: hypersensitivity to bodily symptoms and anxiety 11.08±5.83, negative consequences of illness 3.15±2.14, and total score 14.23±7.22. The mean Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) score was 27.34±8.57. A moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found between CSS-12 scores and total health anxiety scores. x Conclusion: The results reveal a significant and positive relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria among individuals attending family medicine outpatient clinics. These findings highlight the need to raise awareness in family medicine practice, to address patients' needs for information and reassurance, and to provide appropriate counselling and, when necessary, referrals to help manage health- related anxiety and online health information-seeking behaviours.