A simple but efficient approach to the analysis of multilevel data

Stefan Holst Milton Bache () and Troels Kristensen ()
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Stefan Holst Milton Bache: COHERE, Deparetment of Business and Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Postal: Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M
Troels Kristensen: COHERE, Department of Business and Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Postal: Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M

No 2013:6, DaCHE discussion papers from University of Southern Denmark, Dache - Danish Centre for Health Economics

Abstract: Much research in health economics revolves around the analysis of hierarchically structured data. For instance, combining characteristics of patients with information pertaining to the general practice (GP) clinic providing treatment is called for in order to investigate important features of the underlying nested structure. In this paper we offer a new treatment of the two-level random-intercept model and state equivalence results for specific estimators, including popular two-step estimators. We show that a certain encompassing regression equation, based on a Mundlak-type specification, provides a surprisingly simple approach to efficient estimation and a straightforward way to assess the assumptions required. As an illustration, we combine unique information on the morbidity of Danish type 2 diabetes patients with information about GP clinics to investigate the association with fee-for-service healthcare expenditure. Our approach allows us to conclude that explanatory power is mainly provided by patient information and patient mix, whereas (possibly unobserved) clinic characteristics seem to play a minor role.

Keywords: Multilevel models; random intercepts; nested models; Mundlak device; correlated random effects; 2-step estimation; estimated dependent variables; fee-for-service expenditures; type 2 diabetes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C01 C18 C38 H51 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2013-06-20
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm
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