FR 2021-00376

Overview

Title

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The Air Force wants to ask some of its healthcare helpers questions to make sure they are doing a good job helping airmen feel better. They are also asking people to tell them if they think this is a good idea or not by March 15, 2021.

Summary AI

The Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense have announced a proposed information collection and are seeking public comments as part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The focus of this collection is to gather feedback from U.S. Air Force embedded mental healthcare providers, who are contractors, about their experiences. The information collected will contribute to a study aimed at improving mental healthcare services for airmen. Interested parties have until March 15, 2021, to submit their comments through the provided online portal.

Abstract

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 711 Human Performance Wing/United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 2650
Document #: 2021-00376
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 2650-2651

AnalysisAI

The document from the Federal Register announces a proposed information collection by the Department of the Air Force and the Department of Defense. This proposal is part of the agencies' compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to reduce the overall burden of paperwork on the public and government. The proposed data collection seeks to gather feedback from U.S. Air Force embedded mental healthcare providers, specifically those who are contractors, regarding their experiences. This information will be part of a study intended to improve mental healthcare services for airmen.

Summary of the Document

The notice seeks public comment on whether the proposed information collection is essential and useful for the agency’s functions, as well as on how to reduce the respondent burden and improve data quality. The responses will inform a study to enhance mental healthcare strategies for airmen. Those interested in commenting must do so by March 15, 2021, through the online portal provided.

Issues and Concerns

A few critical issues arise from this notice:

  • Lack of Detail: The document does not furnish specific details about the "Air Force Embedded Care Access Interview Guide," creating potential ambiguity about the information being collected. Clarity about the interview process is also lacking, leaving room for misunderstandings about the nature of the feedback being sought.

  • The Burden Estimate: The document provides a total annual burden estimate of 15 hours, with each respondent presumably taking 30 minutes to complete the necessary feedback. This minimal burden estimate raises questions about whether the estimate accurately reflects the data collection needs or the complexity of the feedback being collected.

  • Submission Details: While the notice calls for public comments, it does not explicitly include the docket number and title required for submission, which could lead to confusion and possibly incomplete submissions from the public.

  • Omission of Form Numbers: The absence of form numbers related to the collection could hinder understanding and accessibility for those looking to review or comment on specific forms associated with the proposal.

Impact on the Public

For the public, understanding and participating in this proposed collection could be challenging due to the document's lack of specificity. Members of the public who wish to comment may find the process confusing and cumbersome without clear guidance.

Impact on Stakeholders

For U.S. Air Force embedded mental healthcare providers, primarily contractors, this proposed collection represents an opportunity to share insights and shape future mental health strategies. However, without clear guidance and details, providing comprehensive feedback could be challenging. Moreover, if their feedback effectively informs policy or procedural changes, it could lead to improved mental health service delivery, benefiting both the providers and airmen.

In conclusion, while the intention behind the proposed information collection is valid and aims to improve the effectiveness of mental health services, the execution as outlined in the document presents challenges. Greater clarity and detailed information would better serve the public and stakeholders involved in this important process.

Issues

  • • The document does not provide specific information about the 'Air Force Embedded Care Access Interview Guide,' which could lead to ambiguity in understanding the exact nature of the information collection.

  • • The purpose and details of the interviews for feedback from U.S. Air Force embedded mental healthcare providers are not explicitly detailed, which could result in misunderstandings about the data being collected.

  • • The annual burden hours and average burden per response seem minimal; further clarification on why these specific figures accurately represent the collection needs could be necessary.

  • • The notice mentions 'docket number and title,' but doesn't include these specifics directly in the notice, causing potential confusion on how to properly submit comments.

  • • The form numbers associated with this collection are not provided, which could impede public understanding and commentary.

  • • Contact information for further inquiries, such as the email and phone number provided, risks exposure of personal data of the contact person.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 2
Words: 799
Sentences: 33
Entities: 35

Language

Nouns: 283
Verbs: 64
Adjectives: 31
Adverbs: 10
Numbers: 26

Complexity

Average Token Length:
5.76
Average Sentence Length:
24.21
Token Entropy:
5.22
Readability (ARI):
21.28

Reading Time

about 3 minutes