[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52958-52960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21500]
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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 (USPSTF)
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.
ACTION: Solicits nominations for new members of USPSTF.
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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 (USPSTF).
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The USPSTF, a standing, independent panel of non-Federal experts
that makes evidence-based recommendations to the health care community
and the public regarding the provision of clinical preventive services,
see 42 U.S.C. 299b-4(a), 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 USPSTF
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.
USPSTF members meet three times a year for two days in the
Washington, DC area. Between meetings, 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.
A diversity of perspectives is valuable to the work of the USPSTF.
To help obtain a diversity of perspectives among nominees, 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 USPSTF.
Qualification Requirements: The mission of the USPSTF is to review
the scientific evidence related to the effectiveness and
appropriateness of clinical preventive services for the purpose of
developing recommendations for the health care community. Therefore, in
order to qualify for the USPSTF, 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 decisionmaking 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 USPSTF members without primary health care clinical experience
may be selected based on their expertise in methodological issues such
as medical decisionmaking, clinical epidemiology, behavioral medicine,
health equity, and health economics. For individuals with clinical
expertise in primary health care, additional qualifications in one or
more of these areas would enhance their candidacy.
Consideration will be given to individuals who are recognized
nationally for scientific leadership within their field of expertise.
Applicants must have no substantial conflicts of interest, whether
financial, professional, or other conflicts, that would impair the
scientific integrity of the work of the USPSTF.
DATES: All nominations submitted in writing or electronically, and
received by Friday, October 1, 2010, will be considered for appointment
to the USPSTF.
Nominated individuals will be selected for the USPSTF on the basis
of their qualifications (in particular, those that address the required
qualifications, outlined above) and the current expertise needs of the
USPSTF. It is anticipated that two or three individuals will be invited
to serve on the USPSTF beginning in January, 2011. All individuals will
be considered; however, strongest consideration will be given to
individuals with demonstrated training and expertise in a specific area
such as family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, nursing, behavioral medicine, health equity or methodology.
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, Maryland 20850,
[email protected].
Nomination Submissions
Nominations may be submitted in writing or electronically, but must
include:
(1) The applicant's current curriculum vitae and contact
information, including mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone
number and
(2) A letter explaining how this individual meets the qualification
requirements and how he/she would contribute to the USPSTF. The letter
should also attest to the nominee's willingness to serve as a member of
the USPSTF.
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.
Nominee Selection
Appointments to the USPSTF will be made on the basis of
qualifications as outlined above (see Qualification Requirements) and
the current expertise needs of the USPSTF.
Arrangement for Public Inspection
Nominations and applications are kept on file at the Center for
Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, AHRQ, and are
available for review during business hours. AHRQ does not reply to
individual nominations, but considers all nominations in selecting
members. Information regarded as private and personal, such as a
nominee's social security number, home and e-mail addresses, home
telephone and fax numbers, or names of family members will not be
disclosed to the public. This is in accord with AHRQ confidentiality
policies and Department of Health and Human Services regulations (45
CFR 5.67).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Washington 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. 42 U.S.C. 299(b).
AHRQ accomplishes these goals through scientific research and promotion
of improvements in clinical practice, including clinical prevention of
diseases and other health conditions, and improvements in the
organization, financing, and delivery of health care services. See 42
U.S.C. 299(b).
The USPSTF is a panel of non-Federal experts that makes independent
evidence-based recommendations regarding the provision of clinical
preventive services. See 42 U.S.C. 299b-4(a). The USPSTF was first
established in 1984 under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health
Service. Currently, the USPSTF is convened by the Director of AHRQ, and
AHRQ provides ongoing administrative, research and technical support
for the USPSTF's operation. The USPSTF is charged with rigorously
evaluating the effectiveness and
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appropriateness of clinical preventive services and formulating or
updating recommendations for primary care clinicians regarding the
appropriate provision of preventive services. See 42 U.S.C. 299b-
4(a)(1). AHRQ is charged with the dissemination of recommendations. In
addition to hard copy materials (that may be obtained from the
Publications Clearing house), current USPSTF recommendations and
associated evidence reviews are available on the Internet (http://[email protected]).
Dated: August 18, 2010.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-21500 Filed 8-27-10; 8:45 am]
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