Evaluation of TEACH (Training Early Achievers for Careers in Health) Research

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Evaluation (behavior)

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 400

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
      • The University of Chicago

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 7 years to 17 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

High School students

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Junior high school students in the Collegiate Scholars program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students other than junior high school students

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
the effect of a precollege clinical research enrichment program	We will use instruments designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the high school students. Written surveys will be administered test the acquisition of knowledge of clinical research and career strategies. In addition, a video assessment will be designed to elicit their attitudes towards activities designed to promote a career in clinical research, we will use peer evaluations and research team member evaluations to evaluate ability to work in teams, a key part of any research project.	13 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
factors necessary for a precollege clinical research enrichment program targeting high school students to increase student interest in clinical research	We will survey students as they participate in various aspects of the program using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). These methods will be used to survey student interest and engagement during participation in various components of the program. Also, to assess the formation of role models, we will use video-based assessments and serial evaluations of students using a tool based on the concept of a microsystem.	13 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Chicago
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: David Meltzer, M.D., Ph.D., University of Chicago

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2004
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2034
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2034

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 19, 2005
• First Posted (Estimated): September 20, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 9, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Training early achievers for careers in health
• Other Study ID Numbers: 13199A

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No