title: Physicians, clinics, and neighborhoods: multiple levels of influence on colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We (i) described variability in colorectal cancer (CRC) test use across multiple levels, including physician, clinic, and neighborhood; and (ii) compared the performance of novel cross-classified models versus traditional hierarchical models.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined multilevel variation in CRC test use among patients not up-to-date with screening in a large, urban safety net health system (2011-2012). Outcomes included: (i) fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or (ii) colonoscopy and were ascertained using claims data during a 1-year follow-up. We compared Bayesian (i) cross-classified four-level logistic models nesting patients within separate, nonoverlapping "levels" (physicians, clinics, and census tracts) versus (ii) three hierarchical two-level models using deviance information criterion. Models were adjusted for covariates (patient sociodemographic factors, driving time to clinic, and census tract poverty rate).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 3,195 patients, 157 (4.9%) completed FOBT and 292 (9.1%) completed colonoscopy during the study year. Patients attended 19 clinics, saw 177 physicians, and resided in 332 census tracts. Significant variability was observed across all levels in both hierarchical and cross-classified models that was unexplained by measured covariates. For colonoscopy, variance was similar across all levels. For FOBT, physicians, followed by clinics, demonstrated the largest variability. Model fit using cross-classified models was superior or similar to 2-level hierarchical models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant and substantial variability was observed across neighborhood, physician, and clinic levels in CRC test use, suggesting the importance of factors at each of these levels on CRC testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future multilevel research and intervention should consider the simultaneous influences of multiple levels, including clinic, physician, and neighborhood.
authors.affiliation: Authors' Affiliations: Department of Clinical Sciences; Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center; Sandi.Pruitt@utsouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Sandi L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pruitt
authors.affiliation: School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences, University of Texas-Dallas, Dallas, Texas;
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Authors' Affiliations: Department of Clinical Sciences;
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri;
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schootman
authors.affiliation: Authors' Affiliations: Department of Clinical Sciences; Department of General Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center;
authors.forename: Ethan A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Halm
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego; and Department of Veterans Affairs, San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D012111:Residence Characteristics
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