GOOGLE SEARCH TRENDS: AN APPLICATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES RELATED QUERIES IN TURKEY

Google Flu Trends has been shared which revealed influenza activity based on real-time flu searches at the end of 2008. The use of Google trends in health has also been diversified and after extensive work in the field of influenza; many studies have been conducted in areas such as cancer, influenza, salmonella and diarrhea in a number of countries. In this study, evaluations for Google query trends are conducted for subjects such as influenza, health promotion, public interest to e-health applications and demand for drugs for Turkey. Evaluations for Google query data which can reveal seasonal and annual tendencies of significant number of people for a specific topic has a potential to contribute decision making processes. More effective and efficient health policy planning and administration would be possible with a more detailed and advanced evaluation of query data. It would be useful t