Providing Information & Support for Community Health Professionals
Providers in medically underserved areas often suffer from a
sense of professional isolation. Rural providers, in particular,
lack the benefits of a local provider network and have less access
than their urban counterparts to professional development
opportunities. Likewise, residents from underserved communities lack
access to health information and resources enjoyed by more
prosperous communities. AHEC has become an important support
mechanism for Florida’s providers and community members by offering
continuing education programs, technical assistance, special
projects, and access to library resources. AHEC’s continuing
education and information services help health care professionals
stay current in their fields, assure high-quality care, allow
providers to meet state licensing requirements, and provide many
community residents with critically important topical health
information. Technical assistance services are those forms of help
that are staff-time intensive, a scarce resource to already
overburdened community providers. Also, access to the library
resources of the academic health centers allows providers a
comprehensive mechanism to investigate the body of health literature
and other databases.
- Community Faculty Development
FSU COM provides topic specific courses for preceptors
working in rural or medically underserved communities.
- Medical Library Services
Medical Library Services provides full library resources to
community faculty throughout the year. Technical assistance,
information delivery, and resources training are also provided.
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