Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt

Abstract Background This paper evaluated the implementation West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center programs for high school students in grades 9–12 through participant-reported evaluations and feedback during the September 1st, 2013 to August 31st, 2014 fiscal year. The programs targeted...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors:	Ashruta Patel, Regina J. Knox, Alicia Logan, Katie Summerville
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	BioMed Central 2017-07-01
Series:	Archives of Public Health
Subjects:	Area Health Education Center West Central Alabama Alabama Black Belt Rural Minority Underserved
Online Access:	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-017-0200-1

id	doaj-art-7a2fa9fdb38c44198c104a0441af2897
recordtype	oai_dc
spelling	doaj-art-7a2fa9fdb38c44198c104a0441af28972018-08-16T00:41:42ZengBioMed CentralArchives of Public Health2049-32582017-07-0175111010.1186/s13690-017-0200-1Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black BeltAshruta Patel0Regina J. Knox1Alicia Logan2Katie Summerville3Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Georgia CampusWest Central Alabama—Area Health Education CenterWest Central Alabama—Area Health Education CenterWest Central Alabama—Area Health Education CenterAbstract Background This paper evaluated the implementation West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center programs for high school students in grades 9–12 through participant-reported evaluations and feedback during the September 1st, 2013 to August 31st, 2014 fiscal year. The programs targeted racial/ethnic minorities and/or rural individuals interested in pursuing a career as a healthcare provider in medically underserved counties of Alabama. Methods Students participated in enrichment activities related to prospective health careers that included: successful college preparedness, knowledge about health careers, and the types of primary care health professions that are needed in underserved Alabama communities. The curriculum studied 593 (ACT preparation: n = 172, AHEC 101: n = 56, FAFSA: n = 109, Health Career Exploration: n = 159, College Career Readiness: n = 67, Dixie Scholars NERD: n = 30) baseline measures for the programs to evaluate effectiveness when rated by participants both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Interactive activities with video incorporation, hands-on experiences, and group discussions paired with student motivation and interest in specific health career-related activities provided the highest program ratings. Conclusions It is important to use a variety of successful program strategies when forming healthcare workforce development interventions. Student evaluations can help adapt methods for future program implementation to ultimately achieve strategies for health professional recruitment, training, and retention in areas that lack access to quality healthcare.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-017-0200-1Area Health Education CenterWest Central AlabamaAlabama Black BeltRuralMinorityUnderserved
institution	Open Data Bank
collection	Open Access Journals
building	Directory of Open Access Journals
language	English
format	Article
author	Ashruta Patel Regina J. Knox Alicia Logan Katie Summerville
spellingShingle	Ashruta Patel Regina J. Knox Alicia Logan Katie Summerville Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt Archives of Public Health Area Health Education Center West Central Alabama Alabama Black Belt Rural Minority Underserved
author_facet	Ashruta Patel Regina J. Knox Alicia Logan Katie Summerville
author_sort	Ashruta Patel
title	Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt
title_short	Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt
title_full	Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt
title_fullStr	Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt
title_full_unstemmed	Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt
title_sort	area health education center (ahec) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the alabama black belt
publisher	BioMed Central
series	Archives of Public Health
issn	2049-3258
publishDate	2017-07-01
description	Abstract Background This paper evaluated the implementation West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center programs for high school students in grades 9–12 through participant-reported evaluations and feedback during the September 1st, 2013 to August 31st, 2014 fiscal year. The programs targeted racial/ethnic minorities and/or rural individuals interested in pursuing a career as a healthcare provider in medically underserved counties of Alabama. Methods Students participated in enrichment activities related to prospective health careers that included: successful college preparedness, knowledge about health careers, and the types of primary care health professions that are needed in underserved Alabama communities. The curriculum studied 593 (ACT preparation: n = 172, AHEC 101: n = 56, FAFSA: n = 109, Health Career Exploration: n = 159, College Career Readiness: n = 67, Dixie Scholars NERD: n = 30) baseline measures for the programs to evaluate effectiveness when rated by participants both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Interactive activities with video incorporation, hands-on experiences, and group discussions paired with student motivation and interest in specific health career-related activities provided the highest program ratings. Conclusions It is important to use a variety of successful program strategies when forming healthcare workforce development interventions. Student evaluations can help adapt methods for future program implementation to ultimately achieve strategies for health professional recruitment, training, and retention in areas that lack access to quality healthcare.
topic	Area Health Education Center West Central Alabama Alabama Black Belt Rural Minority Underserved
url	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-017-0200-1
_version_	1612696869056544768

Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt

Similar Items