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 and 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.
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