[Federal Register: April 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 64)]
[Notices]
[Page 16367-16368]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ap07-74]
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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 can self nominate. Organizations and individuals
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 intentionally for scientific leadership within
their field of expertise. Applicants must have no substantial conflicts
of interest that would impair 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 Thursday, May 31, 2007, will be considered for appointment
to the Task Force.
Nominated individuals will be selected for the Task Force on the
basis 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 4 individuals will be
invited to serve on the Task Force beginning in January, 2008. AHRQ
will retain and consider for future vacancies the nominations of those
not selected during this cycle.
ADDRESSES: Submit your responses either in writing or electronically
to: Gloria Washington, ATTN: USPSTF Nominations, Center for Primary
Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville,
[[Page 16368]]
Maryland 20850, Gloria.Washington@ahrq.hhs.gov.
Nomination Submissions
Nominations may be submitted in writing or electronically, but must
include (1) the applicant's current curriculum vitae and contact
information, (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: Gloria Washington at
Gloria.Washington@ahrq.hhs.gov.
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 by
the Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, codified in scattered
sections of 42 U.S.C.
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 care 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: March 27, 2007.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 07-1639 Filed 4-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M