A study on the correlation between program contact hours and the successful matriculation into college.

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Rural Health Workforce Development

Background:

• Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are crucial for training healthcare professionals for underserved areas.
• Understanding factors influencing student matriculation into higher education is vital for workforce planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the correlation between accumulated contact hours in AHEC programs and subsequent college matriculation.
• To identify potential thresholds of AHEC engagement that predict higher education enrollment.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative analysis of 5,189 students from the Indiana AHEC Network.
• Students were categorized by accumulated contact hours and matched with college matriculation data.
• Statistical significance was assessed to determine the relationship between contact hours and matriculation.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant positive correlation was found between accumulated contact hours and college matriculation.
• Two significant break points were identified at 5 and 20 contact hours, showing increased matriculation rates.
• The findings suggest a dose-response relationship between AHEC program engagement and higher education enrollment.

Conclusions:

• Accumulated contact hours in AHEC programs are a significant predictor of college matriculation.
• Engagement levels, particularly exceeding 5 and 20 contact hours, are associated with enhanced matriculation outcomes.
• These findings have implications for optimizing AHEC program structures to support student pathways into health professions.