[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36606-36607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13152]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Public comments on EPC Report ``Systems to Rate the Strength of
Scientific Evidence''
AGENCY: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: To inform its response to a legislative mandate to develop and
disseminate methods or systems to rate scientific evidence found in
health care research studies (see Background section, below), AHRQ
commissioned the Research Triangle Institute-University of North
Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center (RTI/UNC EPC) to undertake a
study on systems to rate the quality of scientific evidence. The goals
of the EPC study were to describe systems to rate the strength of
scientific evidence, including evaluating the quality of individual
articles that make up a body of evidence on a specific scientific
question in health care, and to provide some guidance as to current
``best practices'' with respect to rating scientific evidence regrading
a particular clinical treatment or technology.
The RTI/UNC EPC completed their study and submitted to AHRQ the
report ``Systems to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence''. The
report includes the EPC's methodological approach (e.g., search
strategy, data collection, analysis of findings) and discusses
identification of systems, factors important in developing and using
rating systems, and a ``best practices'' orientation to selecting
systems for use. The report also includes recommendations for future
research.
The comprehensive report ``Systems to Rate the strength of
Scientific Evidence, is available on AHRQ's web page at http://
www.ahrq.gov/clinic/evrptfiles.htm#strength''. The report also is
available, without charge, from the AHRQ Clearinghouse by calling 800-
358-9295.
There are a variety of audiences for the guidance that the Agency
will disseminate on this subject, who we hope will be interested in
evaluating the usefulness of this EPC report for their purposes and who
will also describe the type of guidance that would be most helpful to
them. Obtaining comment on how the AHRQ can best fulfill its
legislative mandate to identify and disseminate guidance on systems to
rate the strength of scientific evidence, is essential to fulfill its
commitment to inform all segments of the health care community. We are
interested in receiving comments on the report's overall clarity,
usefulness, and thoroughness, and we also welcome suggestions on the
type of guidance that would be most helpful to researchers,
policymakers, provider systems, professional societies, practitioners,
patients, and others. For example, what do professional societies,
practitioners, payors, policymakers need to know about grading
scientific evidence? What parts of the EPC report will be used in day-
to-day health care decision making? Is some part this information
useful to patients? What are the most useful format(s) for the guidance
that AHRQ should use for its dissemination strategy with particular
audiences or users?
DATES: For particular audiences or uses, or explanation of particular
rating systems to be considered for incorporation and discussion in the
guidance AHRQ will provide in the near future in accordance with its
legislative mandate, written comments must be received by August 22,
2002. Comments should be sent to Jacqueline Besteman (e-mail attached
file preferred), at [email protected]; or faxed to 301-594-4027.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Besteman, J.D., M.A.,
Director, EPC Program, Center for Practice and Technology Assessment
AHRQ, 6010 executive Blvd., Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852; Phone:
(301) 594-4017; Fax: (301) 594-4027; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
AHRQ is the lead Federal agency for enhancing the quality,
appropriateness, and effectiveness of healthcare services and access to
such services. In carrying out this mission, AHRQ conducts and funds
research that develops and presents evidence-based information on
healthcare outcomes, quality, cost, use and access. Included in AHRQ's
legislative mandate is support of syntheses of scientific clinical and
behavioral studies on particular treatments and technologies, and wide-
spread dissemination of the resultant evidence reports and technology
assessments. The mandate includes dissemination of guidance on methods
or systems for rating the strength of scientific evidence. These
research findings, syntheses, and guidance are intended to assist
providers, clinicians, payers, patients, and policymakers in making
evidence-based decisions
[[Page 36607]]
regarding the quality and effectiveness of health care.
Section 911(a), part B, Title IX, Healthcare Research and Quality
Act of 1999, requires in part that AHRQ, in collaboration with experts
from the public and private sectors, identify methods or systems to
assess health care research results, particularly ``methods or systems
to rate the strength of the scientific evidence underlying health care
practice, recommendations in the research literature, and technology
assessments.'' The Agency is to make methods or systems for rating
evidence, widely available. To inform its response to this mandate,
AHRQ invites public comments on the RTI/UNC EPC study noted above.
Dated: May 17, 2002.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 02-13152 Filed 5-23-02; 8:45 am]
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