Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
| Published date | 27 January 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 4666 |
| Record Number | 2020-01261 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality,Health And Human Services Department |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4666-4667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01261]
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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 that the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection
project ``Evaluation of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund--
Training Program.''
This proposed information collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on December 13th, 2019 and allowed 60 days for
public comment. AHRQ did not receive comments from members of the
public. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days
for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by 30 days after date
of publication.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ's OMB Desk
Officer by fax at (202) 395-6974 (attention: AHRQ's desk officer) or by
email at [email protected] (attention: AHRQ's desk officer).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Project
Evaluation of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund--Training
Program
AHRQ Authorization To Provide Researcher Training in Comparative
Effectiveness Research/Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (CER/PCOR)
Methods
Section 6301(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
Public Law 111-148 (the ``Affordable Care Act''), enacted section
937(e) of the Public Health Service Act (``PHS Act''), which authorizes
AHRQ to build capacity for comparative effectiveness research (CER) by
establishing grant programs that provide training for researchers in
methods used to conduct research. It also notes that, ``[at] a minimum,
such training shall be in methods that meet the methodological
standards adopted [by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute
(PCORI)] under section 1181(d)(9) of the Social Security Act.'' In
addition, section 937(a) of the PHS Act charges AHRQ with disseminating
patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and CER findings into
practice. AHRQ's PCOR Trust Fund Training Program (PCORTF-TP) invests
in training grants that build researchers' skills and enhance research
capacity in these practice areas.
PCOR is research that assesses the benefits and harms of
preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, palliative, or health delivery
system interventions. This research helps clinicians, patients, and
caregivers make decisions about health care choices by highlighting
comparisons and outcomes that matter to people, such as survival,
function, symptoms, and health-related quality of life. The AHRQ
PCORTF-TP supports individuals and academic institutions to train
researchers and clinicians in CER methods applied within the context of
CER/PCOR via mentored career development award mechanisms for emerging
independent investigators, as well as targeted skill development and
applied experiences via research grant mechanisms for independent
researchers. PCORTF-TP grants support training for recent graduates,
mid-career professionals, and established professionals in research and
clinical settings. The program prioritizes expanding capacity in
underserved and predominantly minority communities.
AHRQ recognizes the importance of ensuring that its training
activities are useful, well implemented, and effective in achieving
their intended goals. Therefore, the PCORTF-TP evaluation reflects
AHRQ's commitment to ensuring responsible stewardship. The PCORTF-TP
evaluation comprises analysis of grantee progress reports, a
bibliometric analysis of grantee publications, key informant interviews
with AHRQ program staff responsible for managing PCORTF-TP grants,
focused discussions with the PCORTF-TP evaluation Stakeholder Working
Group, and surveys of grantees and mentors.
The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the outputs, outcomes,
and impact of AHRQ's PCORTF-TP. The evaluation will address the
following questions:
What is the nature of PCORTF-TP activities for scholar/
investigator development?
Which activities for PCORTF-TP scholars/investigators have
the greatest influence on intended outcomes (e.g., PCOR careers)?
How have PCORTF-TP and partner institutions developed the
capacity for PCOR training and mentoring, and in what ways is this
sustainable?
What do mentors and mentees perceive to be the most
important ways that the program has contributed to the field of CER/
PCOR?
This evaluation is being conducted by AHRQ through its contractor,
AFYA, Inc., pursuant to AHRQ's authority to carry out the activities
described in section 937 of the PHS Act. 42 U.S.C. 299b-37.
Method of Collection
To achieve the goals of this project, the evaluator will survey
PCORTF-TP awardees, scholars, and mentors. Online surveys: K Awardee
Survey/K12 Scholar Survey and K Awardee/K12 Scholar Primary Mentor
Survey will be used to: (1) Collect non-identifying demographic
information; and (2) ask respondents about their training activities
and outcomes. Key informant interviews: Key Informant Interview Guide
will be used to collect qualitative data about program processes,
outcomes, and lessons learned from K12 scholar program directors.
AHRQ will use the information collected through this Information
Collection Request to assess progress toward achieving the PCORTF-TP
aims. The information collected will facilitate program planning.
Results will indicate whether grantees are conducting
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activities relevant to CER/PCOR training and whether those activities
are increasing CER/PCOR capacity. Two surveys, each tailored for four
respective PCORTF-TP respondent groups as well as key informant
interviews will yield data on training activities, trainees' career
plans, trainees' research and clinical activities relevant to CER/PCOR,
and primary mentor experiences. The surveys are designed to capture
primarily quantitative data with some qualitative data. The interview
guide is designed to collect qualitative data.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the
respondents' time to participate in this evaluation. The survey will be
completed by approximately 288 awardees, scholars, principal
investigators (PI), and mentors. The surveys will each require
approximately 30 minutes to complete. The key informant interview will
be conducted with approximately 13 PIs. These interviews are expected
to take one hour each. The total hour burden is expected to be 150.5
hours for this participant data collection effort.
Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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Number of
Form name Number of responses per Hours per Total burden
respondents respondent response hours
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K Awardee/K12 Scholar * Survey.................. 147 1 0.5 73.5
K Awardee/K12 Primary Mentor Survey............. 128 1 0.5 64
Key Informant Interview Guide for K12 Program 13 1 1 13
Directors......................................
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Total....................................... 288 .............. .............. 150.5
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* K Awardee/K12 Scholar survey = K01/K08/K99/K18 Awardees and K12 Scholars.
Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden based on the
respondents' time to participate in this project. The total cost burden
is estimated to be $11,134.34.
Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
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Number of Total burden Average hourly Total cost
Form name respondents hours wage rate * burden
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K Awardee/K12 Scholar Survey.................... 147 73.5 * $74.43 $5,434.59
K Awardee/K12 Primary Mentor Survey............. 128 64 * 74.43 4,732.16
Key Informant Interview Guide for K12 Program 13 13 * 74.43 967.59
Directors......................................
288 150.5 .............. 11,134.34
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* Average hourly wage ($73.94) based on the average annual salary for three categories of Health Specialties
Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1071; Scientific Research and Development Services--$178,090; General Medical and
Surgical Hospitals--$153,790; and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools--$126,890). Data Source:
National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates in the United States, May 2018, ``U.S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics'' (available at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_621400.htm).
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ's
information collection are requested with regard to any of the
following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ's health care research and
health care information dissemination functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ's
estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed
collection(s) 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 upon the
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 Agency's subsequent request for OMB approval of the
proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: January 21, 2020.
Virginia L. Mackay-Smith,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-01261 Filed 1-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-P
