Small area studies based on large Medicare databases are appropriate in certain conditions, such as the case of cardiology treatment in Elyria, Ohio. However, small area studies based on large Medicare databases are not an appropriate option when compared to a larger Medicare database related to outliers. For example, small area studies help identify and evaluate discrepancies in healthcare facilities. It can also help evaluate where to allocate resources and determine factors that worsen certain conditions. In general, small area studies can help solve certain problems of a particular area that may not be considered if the focus is on a larger area. These studies also help to better understand the needs of a community, access to health care, and certain norms of behavior. But since these areas comprise a comparatively smaller population, the results may vary from the expected rates. Furthermore, a smaller population would naturally attract fewer problems. This can be a problem when providing adequate figures for the study, especially when the phenomenon shows a low incidence in the population. Additionally, in a geographically small area, disease cases may be very low. This can pose a risk to identification and possibly act as a threat to patient confidentiality.