In the absence of empirical evidence, professional norms in treatment of certain medical conditions are observed to prevail. Differences from one geographic area to another are found. This is an example of

Question

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Small area variation refers to differences in treatment practices for certain medical conditions that cannot be explained by patient preferences or the underlying health conditions of the population, often observed between geographic areas or institutions. This variation is typically not based on empirical evidence but rather on local professional norms or practices.

In the Absence of Empirical Evidence, Professional Norms in Treatment