Which best illustrates the concept of 'healthcare utilization'?

The concept of 'healthcare utilization' is best illustrated by the overall usage of healthcare resources by a population. This encompasses a broad perspective on how healthcare services are accessed and consumed, reflecting both the quantity and quality of services utilized by different groups within the population. By focusing on the overall usage, this option captures the complexities of healthcare systems and the various factors that influence how resources are allocated, accessed, and utilized.

In contrast, while the average number of hospital visits per patient and the amount of time a patient spends in healthcare facilities provide specific metrics related to utilization, they are more limited in scope. They focus on individual behaviors rather than the collective behaviors of a population as a whole. Additionally, a specific treatment applied to all patients does not illustrate utilization since it pertains more to clinical practices rather than the broader concept of resource usage in healthcare.