This study aims to examine the Turkish public’s digital search behaviour for healthcare needs in the 30 days following the 6 February 2023 earthquakes, using Google Trends data. This descriptive cross- sectional study examined trends in searches related to healthcare access, institutional responses, and psychological impacts. In this context, the following terms were searched for: ‘earthquake emergency service’, ‘earthquake hospital’, ‘earthquake stress’, ‘earthquake 112’, ‘earthquake emergency aid’, ‘Kızılay’, ‘National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE)’, ‘field hospital’, ‘Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD)’, ‘health teams’, ‘earthquake anxiety’, ‘earthquake trauma’, ‘earthquake stress’, ‘earthquake fear’, and ‘earthquake psychology’. Google Trends data shows the relative popularity of search terms at a specific time and in a specific region, using a Search Volume Index (SVI) ranging from 0 to 100. In this study, SVI values were analysed as a time series. Line graphs show the daily and weekly SVI changes for each keyword between 6 February and 8 March 2023. Pearson correlation analysis and paired t-tests were applied to examine public online search behaviour after the earthquake and determine relationships between themes. The results revealed that the terms ‘earthquake fear’, ‘earthquake hospital’, and ‘AFAD’ had high search volumes. While searches for ‘earthquake hospital’ rose rapidly in the early days before declining quickly, ‘earthquake fear’ declined gradually. Interest in ‘AFAD’ was steadier and longer-term. The study found that digital searches accurately reflected the public’s needs. It is recommended that public digital search behaviour be taken into account when developing plans for the provision of health services in disasters.

Ferda IŞIKÇELİK