“High profile” procedures receive considerable coverage by the press and media. These procedures are associated with major improvements in quality of life. Other (discretionary) procedures often receive attention in the research literature because of potential overuse.

Depending on a region’s demographic composition and its proximity to a major/urban hospital, providing access to surgical procedures may be an issue. Local rates should be compared to regions of similar size or composition, regions that are nearby, and to provincial/state rates.

Planners should address questions such as:

1. How do the procedures rates compare across regions?

2. Are differences related to the proximity of a major health centre?

3. Are rates related to local health status and need?

4. If rates for a procedure appear too low, do local physicians have good referral links to relevant surgeons? Can these links be improved?

5. What are the trends over the past five years? Three years? One year?