title: The study of practice variation in managing rheumatic diseases.
abstract: In summary, variation is grist for the traditional epidemiologic study of etiologic and prognostic factors. In health service research, it provides an approach to describe what is done in everyday practice, where it's done, and, with more detailed study, what works. Interpretation of such data is complex and fraught with difficulties. Nevertheless, the use of large data sets for research and administrative decisions and the study of practice variation are increasing and make it important for the profession to understand its strengths and limitations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States