title: What physicians should know about small area variation analysis.
abstract: Geographic variations in the use of medical care may occur because of differences in patient severity of illness, patient access or use of medical care, physician practice patterns, availability of technology, economic incentives, and malpractice concerns. These variations are leading to greater scrutiny of appropriateness and cost effectiveness of medical care.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kazandjian
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Dans
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scherlis
mesh_terms: D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D008396:Maryland; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'