[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 65596-65597] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-31778] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request AGENCY: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the request of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a generic approval of ``Voluntary Customer Surveys of `Partners' of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research''. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the AHCPR invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection request to allow it to conduct voluntary customer satisfaction surveys of partners. AHCPR will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be carried out under this generic approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 30, 1998. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to the OMB Desk Officer at the following address: Allison Eydt, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB: New Executive Office Building, Room 10235; Washington, DC 20503. All comments will become a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth A. Celtnieks, AHCPR Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 594-1406, ext. 1497. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project ``Voluntary Customer Surveys of `Partners' of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.'' In response to Executive Order 12862, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) plans to conduct voluntary customer surveys of ``partners'' to identify how well AHCPR is performing its functions with its partners and to use this information to determine the kind and quality of services they like and expect, their level of satisfaction with existing services, and to implement improvements where feasible and practical. AHCPR partners are typically health care payers, plans, practitioners and providers, researchers, professional associations, AHCPR data suppliers, and State and local governments, as well as persons or entities that provide service to the public for AHCPR, e.g., dissemination of AHCPR publications by a ``middle man'' such as a professional society. Partner surveys to be conducted by AHCPR may include, for example, surveys of research grantees to measure satisfaction with technical assistance received from AHCPR. Results of these surveys will be used to assess and redirect resources and efforts needed to improve services. For example, the AHCPR's Office of Research Review, Education, and Policy (ORREP) provides grant funds for training of health services researchers. AHCPR would like to survey scholars whose training it has supported regarding their training experience. In addition, the Office for Health Care Information (OHCI) is proposing to survey one component of their customers: researchers. This proposed survey will be undertaken by a contractor to determine how AHCPR could better serve the research community. Questions asked may include a need for extended hours to answer inquiries on grant submission-related matters or the development of a comprehensive manual on grant submission. Method of Collection The data will be collected using a combination of preferred methodologies appropriate to each survey. These methodologies are: mail surveys; evaluation forms; automated and electronic technology (e.g., AHCPR Clearinghouse Publications, Instantfax); telephone surveys; and focus groups. The estimated annual burden is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. of Total hours of Type of survey respondents Average burden/response burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mail/Telephone Surveys or Electronic 3,000 20 minutes...................... 1,000 Technologies. Focus Groups.................................. 200 1.5 Hours....................... 300 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Totals.................................... 3,200 .41 Hours....................... 1,300 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 65597]] Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) the necessity of the proposed collections for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden 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/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. Copies of these proposed collections plans can be obtained from the AHCPR Reports Clearance Officer (see above). Dated: November 19, 1998. John M. Eisenberg, Administrator. [FR Doc. 98-31778 Filed 11-25-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-90-M