A state-level analysis of macro-level factors associated with hospital readmissions.

Investigation of the factors that contribute to hospital readmissions has focused largely on individual level factors. We extend the knowledge base by exploring macrolevel factors that may contribute to readmissions. We point to environmental, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors that are emerging as correlates to readmissions.

Health Information Seeking Behavior on Social Networking Sites and Self-Treatment: Pilot Survey Study.

Background: Social networking site use and social network-based health information seeking behavior have proliferated to the point that the lines between seeking health information from credible social network-based sources and the decision to seek medical care or attempt to treat oneself have become blurred.

Objective: We contribute to emerging research on health information seeking behavior by investigating demographic factors, social media use for health information seeking purposes, and the relationship between health information seeking and occurrences of self-treatment.

Methods: Data were collected from an online survey in which participants were asked to describe sociodemographic factors about themselves, social media use patterns, perceptions about their motivations for health information seeking on social media platforms, and whether or not they attempted self-treatment after their social media-related health information seeking.