Digital health use, online medical information seeking and physician trust in primary care: A national cross-sectional study from Türkiye

The Turkish Journal of Public Health welcomes the following types of submissions:

A) Original Research
Papers reporting original research findings in a relevant area. Manuscripts should include:
1. Abstract: Maximum 250 words, structured under Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion.
2. Keywords: Up to five keywords using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, where possible, placed at the bottom of the abstract page.
3. Main text: Maximum 4000 words, excluding tables, figures, and references.
4. References: Maximum 40.
Reporting guidelines: Authors should adhere to the following, based on study type:
• Observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional): STROBE statement (https://www.strobe-statement.org/index.php?id=available-checklists)
• Randomized controlled trials: CONSORT statement (http://www.consort-statement.org/)
• Herbal intervention RCTs: Elaborated CONSORT statement (Ann Intern Med 2006;144:364–367)
• Meta-analyses of RCTs: Cochrane Collaboration guidelines (https://training.cochrane.org/handbook)
• Meta-analyses of observational studies: MOOSE statement (JAMA 2000;283:2008–2012)
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: PRISMA statement (Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(11):777-784)
The main text should be structured as: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Relevant ethical considerations, permissions, and authorizations must be declared.

B) Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Systematic reviews may or may not include a meta-analysis. Manuscripts should include:
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 5000 words, excluding tables, figures, and references.
• References: Maximum 60.
Structure: Introduction (state research question, rationale, and aim), Methods (describe study selection and methodological appraisal), Results, Discussion (address international public health relevance).

C) Review Articles
Review articles synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature on a current and relevant public health topic. They summarize and interpret findings from multiple studies on a specific research question, highlight knowledge gaps, and discuss implications for policy, practice, or future research. Review articles are expected to be written by researchers with demonstrated expertise in the field, ensuring accurate interpretation and meaningful synthesis. 
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 4000 words.
• References: Maximum 60.
Structure: Introduction (state review question and rationale), Methods, Results, Discussion.

D) Short Reports
Short reports present preliminary or brief research findings.
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 2500 words.
• Tables/Figures: Maximum 2.
• References: Maximum 10.
Structure follows that of original research articles.

E) Letters
Letters to the Editor are published in response to previously published articles or to address public health issues of national or international relevance. No abstract is required. Submissions should not exceed 500 words (excluding references), include up to five references, one figure and/or one table, and have no more than five authors. When appropriate, authors of the original article may be invited to respond.

F) Commentaries
Commentaries present authors' viewpoints on the interpretation, analysis, or methodology of a particular study.
• Main text: Maximum 1200 words.
• References: Maximum 5.
• No abstract is required. Text format is free.

G) Notes from the Field
These highlight practice-based programs, initiatives of widespread interest, or experiences to share with the public health community.
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 1500 words.
• References: Maximum 5.

H) Reports
Reports present current practice or results of a program on relevant public health issues.
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 4000 words.
• References: Maximum 50.

I) Technical Briefs – Methodology
These papers report innovative and practical recommendations for quantitative or qualitative public health research methods (e.g., questionnaire development, sampling, data presentation).
• Abstract: Maximum 250 words.
• Main text: Maximum 2000 words.
• References: Maximum 10.

For other manuscript types, please contact the editorial office. 

SPECIAL ISSUE POLICY

If our journal publishes a special issue, it adheres to the following principles:
Special issues remain within the scope and purpose of the journal.
The editor-in-chief is responsible for all content published in the journal, including special issues. Special issue articles undergo the same peer review process as articles in regular issues.
Guest editors are selected by the editor-in-chief based on criteria of academic expertise, field knowledge, and compliance with ethical standards.
The activities of the selected guest editors are monitored at regular intervals by the editor-in-chief or the editorial board.
If guest editors submit an article to their own special issue, the independent evaluation process is managed by the editor-in-chief.
During periods when our journal does not publish a special issue, it will clearly state this situation on its website.

SUBMISSION PROCESS 
Submissions must be made online via “User Home” / “Author”. 
Required Documents (should be uploaded as separate files)

1. Cover Letter:  
All submissions to  the Turkish Journal of Public Health  must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration by another journal. A cover letter signed by all authors confirming these conditions must be included with the submission. One author should be designated as the corresponding author, with their full postal address, email, and telephone number provided.  The cover letter should briefly state the importance of the paper to public health and explain each author’s contribution (e.g., Öztürk A: study design).
Authors may suggest up to four potential reviewers, including their postal addresses, emails, and telephone numbers. The letter must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest (such as funding sources, consultancies, or studies of products) and confirm that the submission is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

2. Title Page: 
• Manuscript title and short running title (max. 40 characters)
• Full names, degrees, institutional affiliations, emails and ORCID numbers of all authors
• Corresponding author’s contact information
• Word count (excluding abstract, references, tables)
• Number of tables and figures

3. Main Text: The main text should not include any author names or affiliations. It should begin with the full title of the manuscript and be structured according to the specific manuscript type. All tables and figures must be embedded within the main text.
Figures and Tables:
• Figures: All figures (including photographs, drawings, diagrams, and charts) must be clear, easily legible, and embedded within the main text. Each figure should have a title placed below it, and units must be indicated where applicable. Legends should provide sufficient detail to allow interpretation without referring to the main text. For line graphs, the underlying data points must also be provided to enable replication on the journal’s systems.
• Tables: Tables must be concise and as simple as possible, and should be embedded within the main text. Each table should have a clear, descriptive title placed above it. Footnotes should include sufficient detail to enable interpretation.
References:
• References should be cited in numerical order as superscripts within the main text. 
• List all authors if there are six or fewer; for seven or more authors, list the first three followed by “et al.” 
• Use Index Medicus (abridged) abbreviations for journal names. 
• Do not cite papers that are “submitted” in the reference list; these may be mentioned in the text. 
• Personal communications should be cited in the text only, including the source, date, and type (for emails, provide the sender’s address). 
• References must follow the style recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.
 Sample referencing formats:

• Journal article:  Çan G, Kartal H, Toraman Ç, Bakar C. The Relationship Between Public Health System Resilience and Psychological Resilience: Multilevel Regression Study. Turk J Public Health 2025;23(1):1–10.
• Book:  UNICEF. State of the World’s Children. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Book chapter:  Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Brenner BM, editors. Hypertension: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p.465–478.
• Online resource: Garrow A, Winhouse G. Anoxic brain injury: assessment and prognosis. In: UpToDate Cardiovascular Medicine [online]. Available at: www.UpToDateInc.com/card. Accessed February 22, 2000.

4. Acknowledgements: Write acknowledgements on a separate page. List anyone who contributed to the work but does not meet the criteria for authorship, and confirm that you have their permission to include them. Also, state any financial or material support received. If the study had institutional review board approval, mention it here.

5. Copyright form: Copyright form must be signed by all authors and sent as an attachment to this submission. 

SUBMISSION PREPARATION CHECKLIST 

As part of the submission process, authors are required to confirm that their submission complies with all of the following requirements. Manuscripts that do not adhere to these guidelines may be returned to the authors before peer review.

Before submission, please ensure that:

1. General & Ethical Requirements

☐ The manuscript is original, has not been previously published, and is not under consideration by another journal.

☐ Where applicable, the manuscript includes ethics committee approval information (approval number and date), informed consent procedures, funding statement, conflict of interest declaration, and author contribution statement.

☐ The main manuscript has been anonymized and does not contain the names, affiliations, acknowledgements, funding information, or any other information that could identify the authors or their institutions. The journal follows a double-blind peer-review process, and manuscripts containing identifying information will be returned before review.

☐ A separate title page has been provided, including the full names, affiliations, e-mail addresses, and ORCID iDs of all authors, together with the corresponding author's name, e-mail address, and full postal address.

☐ Separate files have been uploaded for the cover letter, title page, main manuscript, and copyright form.

☐ If generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used during the preparation of the manuscript (e.g., for language editing, writing assistance, code generation, image creation, or data analysis), their use has been fully disclosed in the manuscript. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all submitted content. AI tools must not be listed as authors.

☐ The copyright form has been completed and signed by all authors.

☐ The manuscript has been carefully proofread for grammar, spelling, and language.

2. Formatting (Text, Tables & Figures)

☐ The submission files are prepared in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.

☐ The manuscript is formatted using a 12-point Times New Roman font with double-spacing throughout.

☐ All tables and figures are numbered consecutively, appropriately titled, and cited in the text.

☐ Tables are prepared as editable Word tables (not as images).

☐ Tables and figures are embedded at their approximate locations within the manuscript to facilitate peer review.

☐ Numerical results are reported consistently. Percentages, means, standard deviations, odds ratios, relative risks, confidence intervals, and other summary statistics are reported with no more than two decimal places (e.g., 3.14).

☐ Exact p-values are reported with no more than three decimal places (e.g., p=0.023; report p<0.001 instead of p=0.000).

☐ Decimal points (e.g., 3.14) are used instead of decimal commas.

☐ Sentences do not begin with numerals. Numbers at the beginning of a sentence are spelled out or the sentence is rewritten.

☐ References are formatted according to the journal's reference style. All references cited in the text appear in the reference list, and all references in the reference list are cited in the text

Language Editing

Authors requiring professional English language editing or proofreading services may contact Saren Publishing before submission.

Complaints

Complaints regarding the editorial or peer-review process should be sent to the journal's principal contact. All complaints will be handled confidentially and responded to within a reasonable timeframe.

* The comprehensive details regarding the ethical principles to be adhered to by our authors, reviewers, and editors, as well as our publication policy, are accessible at https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tjph/policy

Turkish Journal of Public Health is a member of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and accepts its publication ethics principles and evaluates all submitted manuscripts within this scope. Readers and authors can access these rules and case samples via below links: 

https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Guidelines 

https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowchart
https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Case

Main issues of publication ethics have been listed below:

Human and Animal Rights

For the experimental, clinical, and drug human studies, approval by the ethical committee and a statement on the adherence of the study protocol to the international agreements (World Medical Association of Helsinki "Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects," amended October 2013) are required. In experimental animal studies, the authors should indicate that the procedures followed were by animal rights (Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals), and they should obtain animal ethics committee approval. The Ethics Committee approval document should be submitted to the Turkish Journal of Public Health together with the manuscript.
The approval of the ethics committee; a statement on the adherence to international guidelines mentioned above; and proof that the patient's informed consent is obtained should be indicated in the MaterialandMethodMaterialandMethod section. These items are required for case reports whenever data/media could reveal the identity of the patient.
For persons under 18 years of age, please provide a consent form that includes both parents' signatures or of the person's legal guardian or supervisor.

Plagiarism and other violations

The quality of data and analysis presented are important issues for Turk J Public Health. The authors must provide the data sets upon the requests from the editors for review. Editors in Turk J Public Health check the text contents for plagiarism and duplication by using related software. By submitting your manuscript to this journal authors accept that the manuscript may be screened for plagiarism against previously published works. If plagiarism is detected before publication, manuscript will be rejected and would be subjected to institutional acknowledgment of the author(s). This information might send to the institutions of the authors as well as the other relevant institutions. Turk J Public Health does not accept any manuscript that has already been submitted to another journal for evaluation and/or articles previously published. Therefore, the authors must be sure and declare that the manuscript has not been submitted concomitantly to any other journal in the cover letter.
 

Special Issue Policy

If our journal publishes a special issue, it adheres to the following principles:
Special issues remain within the scope and purpose of the journal.
The editor-in-chief is responsible for all content published in the journal, including special issues. Special issue articles undergo the same peer review process as articles in regular issues.
Guest editors are selected by the editor-in-chief based on criteria of academic expertise, field knowledge, and compliance with ethical standards.
The activities of the selected guest editors are monitored at regular intervals by the editor-in-chief or the editorial board.
If guest editors submit an article to their own special issue, the independent evaluation process is managed by the editor-in-chief.
During periods when our journal does not publish a special issue, it will clearly state this situation on its website.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

All sources of financial support should be disclosed. All authors should disclose if a conflict of interest exists in the process of forming their study. Any financial grants or other support received for a submitted study from individuals or institutions should be disclosed to the Editorial Board of the Turkish Journal of Public Health. The ICMJE Potential Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form should be filled in and submitted by all contributing authors to disclose a potential conflict of interest. The journal's Editorial Board determines cases of a potential conflict of interest of the editors, authors, or reviewers within the scope of COPE and ICMJE guidelines.
Conditions that provide financial or personal benefit bring about a conflict of interest. The reliability of the scientific process and the published articles is directly related to the objective consideration of conflicts of interest during the planning, implementation, writing, evaluation, editing, and publication of scientific studies.
Financial relations are the most easily identified conflicts of interest, and it is inevitable that they will undermine the credibility of the journal, the authors, and the science. These conflicts can be caused by individual relations, academic competition, or intellectual approaches. The authors should refrain as much as possible from making agreements with sponsors in the opinion of gaining profit or any other advantage that restrict their ability to access all data of the study or analyze, interpret, prepare, and publish their articles. Editors should refrain from bringing together those who may have any relationship between them during the evaluation of the studies. The editors, who make the final decision about the articles, should not have any personal, professional, or financial ties with any of the issues they are going to decide. Authors should inform the editorial board concerning potential conflicts of interest to ensure that their articles will be evaluated within the framework of ethical principles through an independent assessment process.
If one of the editors is an author in any manuscript, the editor is excluded from the manuscript evaluation process. In order to prevent any conflict of interest, the article evaluation process is carried out as double-blinded. Because of the double-blinded evaluation process, except for the Editor-in-Chief, none of the editorial board members, international advisory board members, or reviewers is informed about the authors of the manuscript or institutions of the authors.
Our publication team works devotedly to ensure that the evaluation process is conducted impartially, considering all these situations.
 

Authorship and its declaration

We adhere to the criteria of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (JAMA. 1997; 277:927-934). For manuscripts with two or more authors, each author must qualify by having participated actively and sufficiently in the study that is being carried out and reported on. The inclusion of each author in the authorship list of a manuscript is based only:
a. On substantial contributions to (1) concepts and design, or analysis and interpretation of data and (2) drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and; b. On final approval by each author of the submitted version of the manuscript.
Conditions “a” (1 and 2) and “b” must both be met. Others contributing to the work should be recognized separately in an Acknowledgement. In the covering letter that accompanies the submitted manuscripts, it must be confirmed that all authors fulfilled both conditions.

Authorship of Editors

The peer review process is confidential to all parties in Turk J Public Health. Editors in chief are not allowed to submit their papers except editorials because the anonymity cannot be ensured for evaluation process. Section editors, on the other hand, can submit their manuscript to Turk J Public Health . The manuscripts of the section editors are subjected to anonymous peer review like the other authors' papers. Chief Editors and the section editors are required to notify the management of the Journal if there have been any conflicts of interest between them. Managers cannot make suggestions and/or pressure to the editors about the manuscripts submitted to the Turk J Public Health. Manuscripts should be submitted for consideration only after written consent is given by all contributing authors. The list of authors should include all those, who can claim authorship in accordance with the authorship policies of ICMJE and COPE.

Ethics Committee Approval and Consents

Studies with the participation of human subjects should state both the ethical approval and the type of consent that was received in the methods section of manuscript. If ethical approval has not been obtained, that should also be declared.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy for Authors

Turkish Journal of Public Health – Author Guidelines Addendum

In line with the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Turkish Journal of Public Health (TJPH) recognizes the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic writing and research. However, the use of AI must comply with ethical publishing standards to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Authors are therefore required to adhere to the following rules:
1. AI Tools Cannot Be Listed as Authors
TJPH follows COPE’s position that AI tools cannot fulfill the role of an author, and therefore cannot be listed as authors in any submission. Only individuals who meet authorship criteria (e.g., substantial contribution, accountability, and approval of the final version) should be named as authors.
2. Disclosure of AI Use Is Mandatory
“Authors who use AI tools in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data, must be transparent in disclosing in Methods section and cover letter of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used."
The following format may be used in cover letter:
"During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [Tool Name, e.g., ChatGPT, OpenAI] for [specific purpose, e.g., language editing, drafting parts of the introduction, summarizing background literature]. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication."
Undisclosed or unethical use of AI may lead to rejection of the manuscript or retraction of the published article.
This policy will be periodically reviewed and updated in line with COPE guidance and evolving best practices.
For any questions regarding the use of AI tools, please contact the editorial office prior to submission.

Guideline for Section Editors and Peer Reviewers
1. Purpose and Scope
This document provides ethical and procedural guidance for Section Editors and Peer Reviewers of the Turkish Journal of Public Health (TJPH), consistent with the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). 
It aims to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality, and fairness of the editorial and peer review process, define appropriate and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in editorial and review workflows, and promote accountability, transparency, and trust in scholarly publishing.
2. Fundamental Ethical Principles
• Integrity: Decisions must be based solely on the scientific merit of the work, independent of personal, institutional, or commercial interests.
• Accountability: Editors and reviewers remain fully responsible for decisions and judgments, even when assisted by software or AI tools.
• Confidentiality: Unpublished material must not be disclosed or used for personal advantage.
• Transparency: Use of AI systems must be declared, traceable, and limited to ethically acceptable purposes.
• Fairness and Impartiality: Reviews and editorial decisions must be free from bias related to authors’ gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or research field.
3. Responsibilities of Section Editors
• Editorial Oversight and Decision-Making
• Section Editors are responsible for ensuring a fair and timely peer review process. Final decisions on acceptance or rejection of manuscripts must always be made by a human editor. No AI tool may autonomously determine manuscript outcomes. Editors must evaluate AI-generated recommendations critically and ensure human oversight in every step of the decision process.
• Use of AI Tools
• Editors may use AI-assisted tools only for supportive functions, such as reviewer matching, plagiarism detection, or language checks. AI tools must not be used for making final editorial decisions, generating decision letters, or evaluating novelty and validity without human judgment.
• Confidentiality and Data Protection
Editors must not upload manuscripts or reviewer comments to public or non-secure AI systems. 
• Accountability and Transparency
Editors remain accountable for all outcomes of AI-assisted decisions. Any use of AI in editorial workflows must be disclosed internally and traceable. Editors must justify all decisions, including AI-supported analyses.
• Managing Ethical Concerns
Editors must act promptly when ethical issues are identified. AI outputs suggesting ethical breaches should be verified manually before action is taken, following COPE’s procedures.
4. Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers
• Reviewers should accept invitations only if they have the necessary expertise and can complete the task impartially and on time.
• Manuscripts under review are confidential and must not be shared or uploaded to AI tools.
• Reviewers may use AI only for language or grammar assistance and must disclose any such use in their review.
• Reviewers must provide objective, constructive, and respectful feedback, focusing solely on scientific merit.
• If ethical misconduct is suspected, reviewers should report it confidentially to the Section Editor without public accusations.
5. Handling of AI-Related Issues
If a reviewer or editor suspects that AI tools were misused in manuscript preparation, review, or decision-making, they should report the concern confidentially to the Editor-in-Chief. 
TJPH will maintain records of AI-related incidents and update policies accordingly.
6. Transparency Toward Authors
Authors have the right to know whether AI-assisted systems were involved in manuscript handling (e.g., plagiarism checks, reviewer matching). 
Any AI use in decision support should be described transparently in the journal’s editorial policies.
This guideline will be reviewed annually based on new COPE or other recommendations and technological developments.
References 
• COPE Council. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Decision Making – Discussion Document. Version 1, 2021.
• COPE Council. Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. Version 2, 2017.

 

Advertising Policy

The Turkish Journal of Public Health is the official publication of the Halk Sağlığı Uzmanları Derneği.  The journal maintains its publication activities independently of any commercial advertising or sponsorship agreements, in order to preserve its academic integrity.

All editorial decisions are made solely based on academic standards, scientific merit, and a rigorous peer review process, without any commercial or financial influence. The journal operates in accordance with the financial and publication policies of the Halk Sağlığı Uzmanları Derneği, with a commitment to serving the public interest and advancing scientific knowledge.

In line with these principles, the journal does not publish commercial advertisements or sponsored content; it is dedicated exclusively to disseminating academic and scientific material. Ethical publishing practices and editorial independence are upheld throughout all stages of the publication process.

Appeals and Complaints
Appeal and complaint cases are handled within the scope of COPE guidelines by the Editorial Board of the journal. Appeals should be based on the scientific content of the manuscript. The final decision on the appeal and complaint is made by Editor in Chief. In case, an ombudsperson or the external ethical editor is assigned to resolve cases that cannot be resolved internally. Authors should get in contact with the Editor in Chief regarding their appeals and complaints via e-mail at yucel.demiral@gmail.com .

Handling of Unethical Publishing Behaviour
The publisher will take all appropriate measures to modify the article in question, in close cooperation with the editors, in cases of alleged or proven scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication, or plagiarism. This includes the prompt publication of an erratum, disclosure, or retraction of the affected work in the most severe case. Together with the editors, the publisher will take reasonable steps to detect and prevent the publication of articles in which research misconduct occurs and will under no circumstances promote or knowingly allow such abuse to occur.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
Authors are obliged to notify the journal's editors or publisher immediately and to cooperate with them to correct or retract the article if significant errors or inaccuracies are detected in the published work. If the editors or publisher learn from a third party that a published work contains a material error or inaccuracy, the authors must promptly correct or retract the article or provide the journal editors with evidence of the accuracy of the article.