TCA § 68-1-1608 — Professional development programs for professionals in underserved communities

In order to effectuate § 68-1-1604(3), the AHEC programs of Meharry Medical College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee, Memphis, shall develop and present professional development programs that address the local needs of primary health care professionals in rural and urban underserved communities in Tennessee. The purpose of professional development programs is to improve the health status of Tennesseans in rural and urban underserved communities by promoting wellness, primary care, disease prevention, and quality of health care delivery. Because quality health care delivery is dependent upon health care professionals' timely access to information about the latest medical and health care discoveries, and because the isolation and difficulties associated with practicing in rural and urban underserved communities limit health care professionals' access to information about the latest discoveries in their fields, the AHEC programs of Meharry Medical College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee, Memphis, may develop and enhance existing information dissemination systems. These information dissemination systems shall use appropriate technologies, including telecommunications technologies, to ensure that health care professionals in rural and urban underserved communities have timely access to the latest medical and health care discoveries. The three (3) institutions receiving funding as part of this part are encouraged to link their respective health science centers via telecommunication technologies with health care providers and institutions in rural and urban underserved communities to provide clinical and educational opportunities.