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 Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [60Day-18-18AFX; Docket No. CDC-2018-0052]
 AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
 ACTION: Notice with comment period.
 SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed and/or continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Traumatic Brain Injury Disparities in Rural Areas (TBIDRA). This study will conduct a formative research to understand the challenges that rural healthcare providers face when diagnosing, treating, and managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) and develop a knowledge base to address gaps in services to improve clinical care and TBI outcomes in rural communities.
 DATES: CDC must receive written comments on or before August 6, 2018.
 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2018-0052 by any of the following methods: *Federal eRulemaking Portal:**Regulations.gov*. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
                    *Mail:*
                         Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D74, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. *Instructions:*
                         All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments to 
                        *Regulations.gov*. *Please note:*
                         Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal (
                        *regulations.gov*) or by U.S. mail to the address listed above.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, contact Jeffery M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D74, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; phone: 404-639-7570; Email: 
                        *omb@cdc.gov*.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help: 1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, 
                    *e.g.,*
                     permitting electronic submissions of responses. 5. Assess information collection costs. Proposed Project Traumatic Brain Injury Disparities in Rural Areas (TBIDRA)—New—National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background and Brief Description Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern in the United States, research indicates that residents of rural areas have both higher incidence and higher mortality rates from TBI than do residents of urban areas, and that the prevalence of TBI-related disability in rural geographical areas is higher than in urban and suburban areas. The obstacles healthcare providers and patients face in rural areas are vastly different than those in urban areas. There is little published research specifically related to the challenges rural providers face in TBI diagnosis and treatment, and even less examination into effective ways to address gaps in service and improve TBI outcomes. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, in a 2015 “Report to Congress on TBI in the United States,” determined that certain population groups, including residents of rural geographic areas, require special consideration when it comes to researching TBI. This is a new Information Collection Request for 2 years to collect information on challenges that rural healthcare providers face in diagnosing, treating, and managing TBI of all severities and develop a knowledge base upon which we can begin to address gaps in services to improve clinical care and TBI outcomes in rural communities. The target population for the data collection effort includes physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) in selected specialties (general or family practice, emergency medicine, pediatrics) working in direct patient care in rural and urban areas. The focus of the study is rural healthcare providers; urban healthcare providers will be included in this study to allow for comparison in identifying the distinct challenges and opportunities for rural healthcare providers. This study has two data collection methods. A web survey to gather quantitative data on the unique challenges faced by rural clinicians, and focus groups to gain deeper insight into the context supporting and/or inhibiting access to comprehensive TBI evaluation and treatment, the study will collect qualitative data through focus groups with rural clinicians. The proposed information collection is authorized by the Public Health Services Act (PHS Act) which provides the legislative means for states to advance public health across the lifespan and to reduce health disparities. The total estimated annualized burden hours is 200. There are no costs to respondents other than their time.
                    ( print page 26465) Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
Type of respondent
Form name
Number of 
                             respondents
Number of 
                             responses per  
                             respondent
Average 
                             burden per  
                             response  
                             (in hours)
Total burden 
                             (in hours)Health care providers (Primary Care Physician, Emergency Physician, Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant)
TBI Provider Survey
600
1
15/60
150Focus group screener
36
1
5/60
3Focus group questionnaire
31
1
5/60
3Focus group discussion guide
31
1
85/60
44Total




200
 Jeffrey M. Zirger, Acting Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


[FR Doc. 2018-12251 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P