Every preceptor is important, because he or she may be critical in a healthcare delivery system in the state by being the only person recruiting other healthcare providers in that particular area. Jocelyn Rankin recommended that the Learning Resources Center Group divide up into subgroups in order to focus on the three areas that need to be addressed. In addition, she added that the groups need to come up with work plans, since there are still connectivity problems with preceptors and hospitals. She suggested that the Georgia Hospital Association be contacted so that any particular areas of difficulty could be identified. As a group, she suggested that the Learning Resources Center Group look at what would be needed to have a strong connectivity plan for health care providers and healthcare students.
Plans are underway for the development of a statewide information network.
It would be beneficial for the group to be updated as to where that network is, identify good and bad service areas, and what the candidates for installation dates are or are planned at this stage. In particular, it was suggested that Commissioner Roach be notified of our interests so that our areas of concern are on their list. Training Preceptors, students, and practitioners will need to be trained on how to use the Internet and Internet related databases. Thus, the Learning Resources Center group will need to coordinate our plans so that we do not duplicate our efforts, thereby optimizing the use of the folks who we are training. Jocelyn suggested that group members come with recommendations and a budget for each of these issues, along with a plan and estimated costs.