[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 783-785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-289]


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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.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Cynthia D. 
McMichael, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, 2101

[[Page 784]]

East Jefferson Street, Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20852-4908. Copies of 
the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and 
specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ 
Reports Clearance Officer.

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 AHRQ 
will ``employ research strategies and mechanisms that will link 
research directly with clinical practice in geographically diverse 
locations * * * including provider-based research network''.
    In order to assist AHRQ in meeting this goal, AHRQ created an RFP 
that specifically requires a resource center to ``access 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 PMRNs 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 PBRNs with appropriate technical experts.
    The in-depth needs assessment of each PBRN will use written and web 
surveys and telephone interviews. Each needs 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 represenatives in the design, conduct and dissemination 
of research studies;
    [sbull] The ability to design and implement data collection 
instruments in clinical 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 PBRN 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, will be sent an 
additional survey.

                                                           Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
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                                                                                Estimated time                                          Estimated annual
           Data collection effort                 Number of respondents       per respondent in   Estimated total     Average hourly      cost to the
                                                                                    hours           burden hours        wage rate          Government
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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 individuals                0.5                360            **45.77          16,477.20
                                              at member practices PBRNs)***.
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    Total..................................  900............................                0.6                540  .................  .................
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Footnotes:
* Based on the mean of the average wages for manager in medicine and health, physicians, and computer systems analyst/scientist, National Compensation
  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 will survey two individuals at each of six
  member practices; and in 20 PBRNs we will survey two individuals at each of nine member practices.


[[Page 785]]

Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government

    The total cost to the government for activities directly related to 
this data collection is $432,451.00.

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 AHRQ, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of 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: December 30, 2002.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 03-289 Filed 1-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M