NLM WHR Consumer Focus Group Mini-Supporting Statement

Supporting Statement A for

WHR Consumer Focus Group (NLM /SIS)

October 1, 2012

Laura Bartlett

National Library of Medicine

Specialized Information Services

Outreach and Special Populations Branch

6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 510

(301) 496-3147 – phone

[email protected]

Supporting Statement

WHR Congressional Staff Focus Group Section A

A.1 Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary

This survey will help fulfill the requirements of:

• Executive Order 12862, “Setting Customer Service Standards,” which directs Agencies to continually reform their management practices and operations to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector, and

• The White House Technology Agenda (http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/), which calls for creation of a transparent and connected Democracy. Specific actions are to:

  • Open Up Government to its Citizens: Use cutting-edge technologies to create a new level of transparency, accountability, and participation for America's citizens.

  • Bring Government into the 21st Century: Use technology to reform government and improve the exchange of information between the federal government and citizens while ensuring the security of our networks. Appoint the nation's first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure the safety of our networks and lead an interagency effort, working with chief technology and chief information officers of each of the federal agencies, to ensure that they use best-in-class technologies and share best practices.

• The White House Health Care Agenda (http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health-care), which directs federal funding toward computerized medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients’ privacy. Specific provisions included in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are:

  • Funding for research to give doctors tools to make the best treatment decisions for their patients by providing objective information on the relative benefits of treatments.

  • Funding for health workforce to help train the next generation of doctors and nurses.

A.2 Purpose and Use of the Information Collection

The focus group results will be used to used to make enhancements to the Women’s Health Resources Web Portal http://whr.nlm.nih.gov by better understanding the information needs of consumers. Specifically we want to identify:

• What are their needs related to women’s health and sex differences research?

• What are consumers’ attitudes and opinions related to women’s health and sex differences research?

• What types of resources are consumers using currently?

• What do consumers want out of the WHR website, research briefs, social media, and future mobile device offerings?

• What information should be emphasized on research briefs for consumers?

A.3 Use of Information Technology to Reduce Burden

Consumers will be recruited by email and telephone if they provide their number.

A.4 Efforts to Identify Duplication

NIH is the only HHS Agency that emphasis sex differences research so duplication is highly unlikely.

A.5 Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities

N/A

A.6 Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently

WHR was developed 4 years ago and has not done any user studies or evaluations. It is important that this study is conducted so we can ensure we are meeting the information needs of consumers that typically contact NIH for research information for themselves, their families or loved ones. We hope to also serve this population by highlighting background materials and major reports so they can better understand the role of sex differences research at NIH.

A.7 Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5

This survey will be implemented in a manner that fully complies with 5 C.F.R. 1320.5.

A.8 Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside Agency

N/A

A.9 Explanation of Any Payment of Gift to Respondents

Participants will be paid a stipend of $75 for a one and a half hour focus group. The stipend will allow the recruitment of a more diverse population.

A.10 Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents

Participation will be strictly voluntary. Participants will be made aware during recruiting that they are participating in a focus group with other consumers. Participants will not be identified in any public dissemination reports. The only identifiable information we are asking for are name and email.

A.11 Justification for Sensitive Questions

No questions will be asked of a personal or sensitive nature.

A.12 Estimates of Hour Burden Including Annualized Hourly Costs

Estimates of Annual Hours Burden
Type of Respondent	Number of Respondents	Number of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden Per Response (in hours)	Total Annual Burden Hours
Consumers	24	1	1.5 hour	36 hours (2160 minutes)

Annualized Cost to Respondents
Types of Respondents	Number of Respondents	Number of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden Per Response (in hours)	Hourly Wage Rate	Respondent Cost
Consumers	24	1	1.5 hour	$29.29	$34.17
TOTALS	24				$820.00

A.13 Estimate of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents or Record Keepers

N/A

A.14 Annualized Cost to the Federal Government

The annualized cost to Federal Government is $20,825. This price includes development of the focus group guide, participant stipend, participant recruitment, moderation and note taking, tabulation and coding, analysis summary and documentation.

A.15 Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments

N/A

A.16 Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule

Results will be tabulated after the completion of the focus group. Results of selected findings may be published in refereed journals or other publications and conference posters within a timely fashion. Dissemination will focus on the process of evaluation.

A.17 Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate

We are not requesting an exemption to the display of the OMB Expiration date.

A.18 Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

This survey will comply with the requirements in 5 CFR 1320.9.