Investigation of cyberchondria levels of health sciences faculty students and health workers: The case of Bolu province

The aim of the research is to examine the cyberchondria levels of health sciences faculty students and healthcare professionals. Descriptive scanning model was used in the research. The population of the research consists of health sciences faculty students and healthcare professionals in Bolu Province. In the research, 532 people were reached with the convenience sampling method. A survey form was used as a data collection tool in the research. The survey form consists of questions regarding personal information and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. In this study, cyberchondria levels of health sciences faculty students and healthcare professionals were examined. Within the scope of the research findings, women's perception of extremism is higher than men. Individuals over the age of 51 have higher levels of anxiety, individuals under the age of 30 have a higher perception of excess, individuals between the ages of 18-25 have a higher perception of relief, and individuals over the age of 60 have a higher perception of distrust in doctors than others. However, in general, the age range with the highest perception of cyberchondria is 18-25 years old. Single individuals' perceptions of excessive anxiety, excess, complacency, and total cyberchondria are higher than married individuals. Health sciences faculty students' perceptions of excessive anxiety, exaggeration, complacency and total cyberchondria are higher than healthcare professionals. Perceptions of compulsion, excessive anxiety, exaggeration, reassurance, distrust of doctors and total cyberchondria of individuals with income less than their income are higher than individuals with other income levels. Individuals without chronic illnesses have higher perceptions of excess than those with chronic illnesses.