2011-2673. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 and send comments to Carol E. Walker, CDC Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 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 through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Quantitative Survey of Physician Practices in Laboratory Test Ordering and Interpretation-NEW-the Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (OSELS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Background and Brief Description

The purpose of this request is to obtain OMB clearance to perform the “Quantitative Survey of Physician Practices in Laboratory Test Ordering and Interpretation”, a national systematic study investigating how the rapid evolution of laboratory medicine is affecting primary care practice. This will be a new collection. The survey will be funded in full by the Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (OSELS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This proposed survey follows a series of qualitative focus groups with primary care physicians that identified common concerns and problems with laboratory test ordering and test interpretation. This survey will quantify the prevalence and impact of the issues identified within the focus groups. Understanding the relative importance of physician issues in the effective and efficient use of laboratory medicine in diagnosis will guide future efforts of the CDC to improve primary care practice and improve health outcomes of the American public. The proposed survey covers basic physician demographic characteristics (year of birth, gender, years in practice, physician specialty, professional memberships, practice size and practice setting), practice-related questions including number and type of patients seen weekly. The majority of the questions request information about physician decision making processes involved in test ordering and interpretation.

The effective use of laboratory testing is an important component of the diagnostic process within physician practices. The field of laboratory medicine is undergoing rapid change with the continuing introduction of new tests, increased focus on evidence-based medicine, the deployment of Electronic Health Records, and the wide availability to physicians of electronic information resources, interactive diagnostic tools, and computerized order entry systems. To date, no systematic study has been conducted to investigate how physicians are incorporating these laboratory testing innovations into their day-to-day practices. This survey seeks to provide insight into how physicians integrate laboratory medicine into their routines, and how they manage any challenges they encounter.

The survey will be conducted in 2011, following OMB approval, in a national representative sample of primary care physicians. The table below reports the combined total number of respondents for the 2011 survey. There are no costs to respondents except their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs)	Total burden (in hrs)
Family Practice Physicians and Internal Medicine Generalists	Laboratory Practices	1600	1	14/60	373
Total					373

Dated: February 1, 2011.

Carol E. Walker,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.