Project Echo – Telementoring for Complex Health Conditions

http://www.projectechonevada.com/best-healthcare-providers-in-2021

Project echo is a telementoring program that connects primary care clinicians with inter-disciplinary teams of specialists. This method is designed to enhance care for patients with complex health conditions, especially in communities with low access to healthcare.

The ECHO model was developed by the University of New Mexico in 2003 with a primary focus on treating hepatitis C patients who are in populations that are not served and prisons. The ECHO model has since been replicated around the globe in various areas of clinical practice including diabetes, asthma, chronic pain and the field of rheumatology. The ECHO model has been supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as well as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) as well as the GE Foundation and the Leona M. and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust.

During ECHO sessions, participants present case studies that have been identified and engage in discussion with content experts via videoconferencing. In this “all teach, all learn” format, participants share their knowledge and experiences with other experts to help them answer questions, provide feedback, and make clinical recommendations.

The ECHO model allows remote monitoring of the patient’s outcomes. Specialists at the University of New Mexico follow the treatment plans of each community provider to ensure that their patients are receiving top-quality treatment. If a patient does not adhere to the prescribed treatment the doctors can suggest mid-course corrections. This helps to avoid treatment failure and improves the likelihood of a successful outcome. Furthermore, specialists can use the ECHO system to monitor data and discover gaps in care. The information is then passed back to the local clinics who can then better serve their patients.

Zahid Abbas

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