Clinical trial NCT00204035: Evaluation of TEACH (Training Early Achievers for Careers in Health) Research
Official title: Evaluation of TEACH (Training Early Achievers for Careers in Health) Research
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Conditions: Healthy
Keywords: Training early achievers for careers in health
Lead sponsor: University of Chicago
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2005-09-20
Enrollment: 400
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 7
Maximum age (years): 17
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: High School students

Brief summary: The conceptual framework underlying the TEACH Research Program is based on a specific theoretical approach designed to influence adolescent career choice, in this case towards a career in clinical research. The factors responsible for influencing career choice that form the foundation for our investigation are: 1) the importance of role models in career choice; 2) acquisition of knowledge in order to align ambitions; and 3) the participation of students in activities that actively challenge and engage them. These three factors are addressed by the following three components of the TEACH Research Intervention: 1) participation in a research team consisting of a multi-tiered structure of mentors; 2) classroom instruction of clinical research knowledge and career strategies; and 3) a hands-on clinical research experience through an internship on the Hospitalist Project.

The evaluation of TEACH Research (Teaching Early Achievers for Careers in Health) aims to rigorously evaluate a precollege enrichment program in clinical research targeting high school students particularly underrepresented minorities, in order to increase the entry and success of these students into careers in clinical research. Through these measures, the TEACH Research Program will educate high achieving minority students and in turn hopefully encourage and promote these students to think about a career in clinical research.

Detailed description: This projects aims to rigorously evaluate a precollege enrichment program in clinical research targeting high school students, and particularly underrepresented minorities, in order to increase the entry and success of these students into careers in clinical research.

Through the components listed in the brief summary, we hope to promote a career in clinical research among high achieving minority students. To determine whether TEACH research generates these benefits, we will recruit a larger number of candidates interested in the TEACH research than we have spots, then randomly assign students to TEACH Research or the standard more didactic enrichment programs already included in the Collegiate Scholars Program. In addition to determine the overall efficacy of the program, we will study how aspects of the program, including the didactic components, mentored research experience, and work experience, and characteristics of the student affect the development of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors needed for a career in clinical research.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Junior high school students in the Collegiate Scholars program

Exclusion Criteria:

* Students other than junior high school students

Primary outcomes:
measure: the effect of a precollege clinical research enrichment program
timeFrame: 13 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: factors necessary for a precollege clinical research enrichment program targeting high school students to increase student interest in clinical research
timeFrame: 13 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: The University of Chicago
state: Illinois
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Chicago
name: David Meltzer, M.D., Ph.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: