Variation in the utilization of medical devices across Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands:A multilevel approach

Variation in healthcare utilization has been discussed extensively, with many studies showing that variation exists, but fewer studies investigating the underlying factors. In our study, we used a logistic multilevel-model at the patient, hospital, and regional levels to investigate (i) the levels to which variation could be attributed and (ii) the hospital and regional factors associated with treatment decisions. To do so, we used hospital discharge records for the years 2012–2016 in Germany and Italy and for 2014–2016 in the Netherlands combined with hospital and regional characteristics in... Mehr ...