[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37079-37080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5782]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Solicitation for Nominations for Members of the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.
ACTION: Solicits nominations for new members.
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SUMMARY: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites
nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force (the Task Force).
The Task Force, a standing, independent panel of private-sector
experts in prevention and primary care, is composed of members
appointed to serve for four year terms with an option for
reappointment. New members are selected each year to replace
(approximately) one fourth of the Task Force members, i.e., those who
are completing their appointments. Individuals nominated but not
appointed in previous years, as well as those newly nominated, are
considered in the annual selection process.
Task Force members meet three times a year for two days in the
Washington, DC area. Member duties include reviewing and preparing
comments (off site) on systematic evidence reviews prior to discussing
and making recommendations on preventive services, drafting final
recommendation documents, and participating in workgroups on specific
topics or methods.
AHRQ particularly encourages nominations of women, members of
minority populations, and persons with disabilities. Interested
individuals and organizations may nominate one or more persons
qualified for membership on the Task Force.
Qualification Requirements: The mission of the Task Force is to
produce evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate screening,
counseling, and provision of preventive medication for asymptomatic
patients seen in the primary care setting. Therefore, in order to
qualify for the Task Force, an applicant or nominee MUST demonstrate
the following:
1. Knowledge and experience in the critical evaluation of research
published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence
review;
2. Understanding and experience in the application of synthesized
evidence to clinical decision-making and/or policy;
3. Expertise in disease prevention and health promotion;
4. Ability to work collaboratively with peers; and,
5. Clinical expertise in the primary health care of children and/or
adults, and/or expertise in counseling and behavioral interventions for
primary care patients. Some Task Force members without primary health
care clinical experience may be selected based on their expertise in
methodological issues such as medical decision making, clinical
epidemiology, behavioral medicine, and health economics.
Strongest consideration will be given to individuals who are
recognized nationally or internationally for scientific leadership
within their field of expertise. Applicants must have no substantial
conflicts of interest that would impair in the scientific integrity of
the work of the Task Force including financial, intellectual, or other
conflicts.
DATES: All nominations submitted in writing or electronically, and
received by Monday, July 31, 2006, will be considered for appointment
to the Task Force.
Nominated individuals will be selected for the Task Force on the
basis
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of their qualifications (in particular, those that address the required
qualifications, outlined above) and the current expertise needs of the
Task Force. It is anticipated that 2 individuals will be invited to
serve on the Task Force beginning in January, 2007. AHRQ will retain
and consider for future vacancies the nominations of those not selected
during this cycle.
ADDRESSES: Submit your response to: Helen Burstin, MD MPH, ATTN: USPSTF
Nominations, Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical
Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither
Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
Nomination Submissions
Nominations may submitted in writing or electronically, but must
include (1) the applicant's current curriculum vitae, and (2) a letter
explaining how this individual meets the qualification requirements and
how he/she would contribute to the Task Force. The letter should also
attest to the nominee's willingness to serve as a member of the Task
Force.
AHRQ will later ask persons under serious consideration for
membership to provide detailed information that will permit evaluation
of possible significant conflicts of interest. Such information will
concern matters such as financial holdings, consultancies, and research
grants or contracts.
Nomination Selection
Nominations for the Task Force will be selected on the basis of
qualifications as outlined above (see qualification requirements) and
the current expertise needs of the Task Force.
Arrangement for Public Inspection
Nominations and applications are kept on file at the Center for
Primary Care, Prevention and Clinical Partnerships, and are available
for review during business hours. AHRQ does not reply to individual
responses, but considers all nominations in selecting members.
Information regarded as private and personal, such as a nominee's
social security number, home and internet addresses, home telephone and
fax numbers, or names of family members will not be disclosed to the
public. This is in accord with agency confidentiality policies and
Department regulations (45 CFR 5.67).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therese Miller at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under Title IX of the Public Health Service Act, AHRQ is charged
with enhancing the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of
health care services and access to such services. AHRQ accomplishes
these goals through scientific research and promotion of improvements
in clinical practice, including prevention of diseases and other health
conditions, and improvements in the organization, financing, and
delivery of health care services (42 U.S.C. 299-299c-7 as amended).
The Task Force is an independent expert panel, first established in
1984 under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health Service, Currently,
the USPSTF, under AHRQ's authorizing legislation (see in particular, 42
U.S.C. 299b-4(a)), is convened at the call of the Director of AHRQ. The
Task Force is charged with rigorously evaluating the effectiveness,
cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical preventive services
and formulating or updating recommendations for primary are clinicians
regarding the appropriate provision of preventive services. The USPSTF
transitioned to a standing Task Force in 2001. Current Task Force
recommendations and associated evidence reviews are available on the
Internet (http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov).
Dated: June 22, 2006.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 06-5782 Filed 6-28-06; 8:45 am]
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