[Federal Register: March 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 44)]
[Notices]
[Page 10725-10727]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06mr03-62]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to allow the proposed information
collection project: ``Needs Assessment of Primary Care Practice-Based
Research Networks (PBRNs).'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites
the public to comment on this proposed information collection.
The proposed information collection was previously published in the
Federal Register on January 7, 2003 allowed 60 Days for public comment.
No public comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to
allow an additional 30 Days for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 7, 2003.
[[Page 10726]]
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Allison Eydt, Human
Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, OMB: New Executive Office Building, Room 10235; Washington, DC
20503.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed
information collection. All comments will become a matter of public
record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia D. McMichael, AHRQ Reports
Clearance Officer, (301) 594-3132.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Project
``Needs Assessment of Primary Care Practice-Based Research Networks
(PBRNs)''
The project is being conducted in response to an AHRQ RFP entitled
``Resource Center for Primary Care Practice-Based Research Networks
(PBRNs)'' (issued under Contract 290-02-0008). The Healthcare Research
and Quality Act of 1999, amending section 911(b) of Title IX of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299 et seq.), states that Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality will ``employ research strategies
and mechanisms that will link research directly with clinical practice
in geographically diverse locations * * * including provider-based
research networks''.
In order to assist the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ), in meeting this goal, the Agency created an RFP that
specifically requires a resource center to ``assess the specific needs,
if any, of each PBRN awarded (by AHRQ)'' by determining ``the stage of
development of networks funded under the PBRN initiatives [AHRQ RFA-HS-
02-003] and the specific resource needs of each network.''
The PBRNs are groups of primary care practices working together
with academic researchers to address community-based health care
research questions and to translate research findings into practice to
improve health care. AHRQ funded 36 PBRNs in September, 2002, as well
as a Resource Center intended to provide technical assistance and
support to the PBRNs in their efforts to design and implement research
projects. It is expected that an additional 24 PBRNs will be funded in
2003. In the proposed activities the PBRN Resource Center will collect
data directly from each PBRN and their affiliated practices. The
collection is a needs assessment of each of the AHRQ funded PBRNs. The
collection will identify how the Resource Center can best support these
networks through the development and use of information technology, and
by linking the PBRN's with appropriate technical experts.
The in-depth needs assessment of each PBRN will use written and web
surveys and telephone interviews. Each need assessment will ascertain
the current capabilities of an individual PBRN in several respects,
including:
[sbull] the ability to design and implement appropriately rigorous
and complex research plans, including their access to key resources
such as validated instruments and competence conducting advanced data
analysis;
[sbull] the technical capacity for conducting data management tasks
such as aggregating research data across networks, developing data
files, and warehousing data;
[sbull] the ability to use information technology to foster
effective communication with affiliated practices and with other
research networks;
[sbull] the ability to address HHS priorities such as research
involving populations of diverse race or ethnicity, socioeconomic
status, age, gender and geography as well as preparedness for
bioterrorism and other emerging public health threats;
[sbull] the ability to engage the network's practicing clinicians
and community representatives in the design, conduct and dissemination
of research studies;
[sbull] the ability to design and implement data collection
instruments in clinician settings;
[sbull] the mechanisms for supporting AHRQ's central goal of
assuring new research findings are translated into everyday practice;
and
[sbull] their capacity for long-term sustainability.
To obtain the necessary information, surveys and interviews will be
conducted with PERN staff and staff members in each network's
participating practices.
Method of Collection
Due to the relatively small number of organizations in the
respondent universe of AHRQ funded PBRNs, and the expected diversity of
needs, we will survey all of the AHRQ funded PBRNs (including those to
be funded in 2003)
The method of data collection for the needs assessments consists of
web-based and paper-based surveys and telephone interviews. We expect
to involve multiple individuals from each PBRN in the data collection,
including the PBRN administrator, information technology personnel, and
the PBRN's lead clinician as well as individuals with similar roles at
the affiliated practice level.
All individuals or networks unable to complete the survey via the
Web will be sent a paper-based survey to complete and return by mail.
The Resource Center will data enter any surveys completed by hand so
that these responses can be included in the analyses. Non-respondents
will receive a telephone reminder and, if necessary, sent an additional
survey.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
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Estimated Estimated
time per total Average Estimated
Data collection effort Number of respondents respondent burden hourly wage annual cost
in hours hours rate
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Needs assessment................. 180 (maximum of three 1 180 *40.26 $7,246.80
individuals from each
of 60 PBRNs).
Needs assessment................. 720 (maximum of two 0.5 360 **45.77 16,477.20
individuals at member
practices PBRNs)***.
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Total.................... 900..................... 0.6 540
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* Based on the means of the average wages for manager in medicine and health, physicians, and computer systems
analyst/scientist, National Comprehension Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States, 2000, ``U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2001.''
** Based on the mean of the average wages for manager in medicine and health and physicians, ``National
Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States 2000'', U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, September 2001''.
*** This estimate assumes that variation exists in the number of member practices that comprise each PBRN.
Consequently, we will survey two individuals (the lead clinician and the administrator) at each of three
member practices in 20 PBRNs, in 20 PBRNs we survey two individuals at each of six member practices, and in 20
PBRNs we survey two individuals at each of nine member practices.
[[Page 10727]]
Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government
The total cost to the government for activities directly related to
this collection is $432,451.000.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the above cited legislation, comments on the
AHRQ information collection proposal are requested with regard to any
of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of functions of the AHRQ,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the AHRQ's estimate of the burden (including hours and
costs) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed
information collection. All comments will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: February 27, 2003.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director
[FR Doc. 03-5298 Filed 3-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M