Federal Register: March 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 44)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-5298
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 7, 2003. [[Page 10726]]
DOCUMENT 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 PracticeBased Research Networks (PBRNs).'' In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (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.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Proposed Project
``Needs Assessment of Primary Care PracticeBased Research Networks (PBRNs)''
The project is being conducted in response to an AHRQ RFP entitled ``Resource Center for Primary Care PracticeBased Research Networks (PBRNs)'' (issued under Contract 290020008). 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 providerbased 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 RFAHS 02003] and the specific resource needs of each network.''
The PBRNs are groups of primary care practices working together with academic researchers to address communitybased 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 indepth 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 longterm 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 webbased and paperbased 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 paperbased 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. Nonrespondents
will receive a telephone reminder and, if necessary, sent an additional survey.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Estimated Estimated
time per total Average Estimated
Data collection effort Number of respondents respondent burden hourly wage annual cost
in hours hours rate
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)***.
Total.................... 900..................... 0.6 540
* 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. 035298 Filed 3503; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 416090M
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Cynthia D. McMichael, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 5943132.