scholarly journals Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes): A new model for educating primary care providers about treatment of substance use disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Komaromy ◽  
Dan Duhigg ◽  
Adam Metcalf ◽  
Cristina Carlson ◽  
Summers Kalishman ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1049-1057
Author(s):  
Cody A. Hostutler ◽  
Jahnavi Valleru ◽  
Heather M. Maciejewski ◽  
Amy Hess ◽  
Sean P. Gleeson ◽  
...  

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a teleconsultation model for enhancing the treatment of underserved patients in primary care. Previous behavioral health (BH) adaptations of Project ECHO have primarily focused on adults or specific diagnoses and have relied on self-reported outcomes. The purpose of this pilot was to adapt Project ECHO to support pediatric primary care providers in addressing common BH needs and to conduct an initial evaluation of its effectiveness. Overall, participants reported high levels of satisfaction and a statistically significant improvement in their overall knowledge and skills ( P = 0.001). Participation was also associated with a reduction in the use of psychotropic polypharmacy. This pilot adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that Project ECHO is a promising workforce development approach to build competencies for the management of BH issues in primary care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Bennett ◽  
Thuan Ong ◽  
Aimee M. Verrall ◽  
Michael V. Vitiello ◽  
Zachary A. Marcum ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background  Geriatrics training is essential for future primary care providers. The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model improves access to specialty care via case-based videoconferencing, but Project ECHO has not previously been designed to target residents. Objective  We designed Project ECHO-Geriatrics to deliver geriatrics education to primary care trainees using the ECHO model and evaluated self-rated geriatrics competency of trainees from the University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Network programs who participated between January 2016 and March 2017. Methods  We assessed outcomes of Project ECHO-Geriatrics through anonymous surveys. Participants rated didactics, case discussions, and geriatrics-specific knowledge before and after sessions on a 5-point scale (1, low, to 5, high). Participants were asked whether they planned to do anything differently in their practice and, if yes, to describe this change. Results  Fifteen sessions were held with 204 unique participants from 12 sites, with an average of 28 (range, 13–41) participants per session. From the 9 of 29 (31%) Family Medicine Residency Network programs that enrolled, 63% percent (116 of 184) of eligible residents attended. Sessions were highly rated (89% of responses were 4 or 5). Self-reported geriatrics-specific knowledge increased significantly (before 3.3 [SD = 0.89] versus after 4.0 [SD = 0.60], P < .001). Sixty-five percent (118 of 181) of participants reported plans to change their practice. Conclusions  Project ECHO-Geriatrics is an innovative, feasible way to train the future primary care workforce in geriatrics and grow the capacity to provide high-quality care to older adults.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5923-5923
Author(s):  
Lisa Marie Shook ◽  
Christina Bennett Farrell ◽  
Karen A. Kalinyak ◽  
Stephen C Nelson ◽  
Brandon M. Hardesty ◽  
...  

Abstract Sickle Treatment and Outcomes Research in the Midwest (STORM) is a regional sickle cell network, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration Treatment Demonstration Project (HRSA U1EMC27863), established to improve outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) living in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The STORM network is led by pediatric and adult hematologists who coordinate network activities in each state, along with a Regional Coordinating Center that organizes efforts throughout the Midwest. The goal of the STORM network is to increase the number of pediatric and adult primary care providers (PCP) who are knowledgeable about the management and treatment of SCD, and who are willing to prescribe and manage hydroxyurea therapy as a means to improve medical care for the approximately 15,000 individuals living with SCD in the Midwest. One PCP engagement strategy that has been implemented to increase provider knowledge in the region is replication of the Project ECHOTM (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) telementoring model. Project ECHO was developed by the University of New Mexico to utilize low-cost, high-impact video technology to link expert inter-disciplinary specialist teams with primary care providers to improve management of chronic diseases. This guided practice telementoring model delivers complex specialty medical care to underserved areas, reduces health disparities, and increases workforce capacity. Project ECHO's methodology is based on 1) using telehealth technology to build healthcare resources where they are scarce; 2) sharing best practices to reduce variation in clinical care; 3) utilizing practice-based learning to develop specialty expertise among providers; and 4) monitoring and evaluating provider outcomes. Project ECHO has demonstrated improved healthcare outcomes in Hepatitis C and several other chronic diseases, and is now being piloted by STORM to test its feasibility and applicability for SCD by using a regional approach with CME accreditation. STORM network site physician leads in each state are recruiting multi-disciplinary primary care teams to participate as "spokes" in monthly SCD TeleECHO clinics. The "hub" led by the STORM Regional Coordinating Center, located at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, coordinates implementation and evaluation of the telementoring clinics, delivered through monthly teaching sessions. STORM TeleECHO participants log onto an internet-based virtual meeting site, using a webcam to interact during the session. STORM TeleECHO clinics include brief didactic presentations from nationally-recognized SCD content experts with topics and curriculum based on the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Evidence-Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease guidelines released in 2014. TeleECHO teaching clinics also include 1-2 de-identified, HIPAA protected case discussions (pediatric and adult) presented by providers who would like medical and psychosocial feedback on management of challenging clinical scenarios. Providers participating in the STORM TeleECHO complete an initial survey assessing knowledge and comfort levels, practice behaviors (including hydroxyurea prescribing practices) and clinic demographics. Satisfaction surveys are sent to participants after each session as part of the CME-credit evaluation. Follow-up surveys at 6 months and 1 year will assess satisfaction, knowledge, comfort level and changes in practice. STORM's TeleECHO was launched in March 2016. Preliminary data indicate an interest in STORM TeleECHO teaching sessions by both pediatric and adult providers across the Midwest region. Future efforts will expand the network to more PCPs in the region, while improving the applicability and utility of STORM TeleECHO in SCD through provider assessment. Disclosures Ware: Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy; Biomedomics: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Addmedica: Research Funding; Nova Laboratories: Consultancy; Bayer Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.


10.2196/21015 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e21015
Author(s):  
Erica Francis ◽  
Kara Shifler Bowers ◽  
Glenn Buchberger ◽  
Sheryl Ryan ◽  
William Milchak ◽  
...  

Background Given that youth alcohol use is more common in rural communities, such communities can play a key role in preventing alcohol use among adolescents. Guidelines recommend primary care providers incorporate screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into routine care. Objective The aim is to train primary care providers and school nurses within a rural 10-county catchment area in Pennsylvania to use SBIRT and facilitate collaboration with community organizations to better coordinate substance use prevention efforts. Methods To build capacity to address underage drinking and opioid use among youth aged 9-20 years, this project uses telehealth, specifically Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to train primary care providers and school nurses to address substance use with SBIRT. Our project will provide 120 primary care providers and allied health professionals as well as 20 school nurses with SBIRT training. Community-based providers will participate in weekly virtual ECHO sessions with a multidisciplinary team from Penn State College of Medicine that will provide SBIRT training and facilitate case discussions among participants. Results To date, we have launched one SBIRT ECHO project with school personnel, enrolling 34 participants. ECHO participants are from both rural (n=17) and urban (n=17) counties and include school nurses (n=15), school counselors (n=8), teachers (n=5), administrators (n=3), and social workers (n=3). Before the study began, only 2/13 (15.5%) of schools were screening for alcohol use. Conclusions This project teaches primary care clinics and schools to use SBIRT to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance use disorders, reduce problems associated with substance use disorders, and strengthen communities’ prevention capacity. Ours is an innovative model to improve rural adolescent health by reducing alcohol and opioid use. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/21015


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 506-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Ladd ◽  
Mirna Becevic ◽  
Hope Misterovich ◽  
Karen Edison

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common dermatologic disorder that is estimated to affect 15–20% of the general population. Because of its prevalence, it may be expected that ACD should be easily recognized. However, it can present with many clinical variations that may complicate diagnosis. Although ACD is a treatable condition, patients from rural and underserved areas suffer if timely access to specialty care is limited. Dermatology Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Dermatology ECHO) telemedicine sessions were created to mentor rural primary care providers (PCPs). To illustrate their benefit, we present the case of a 19-year-old female patient who suffered from worsening undiagnosed ACD for over nine months following a laparoscopic appendectomy. During that time, the surgeon and multiple PCPs treated her with antibiotics, antivirals, and Scabicide without improvement in her condition. The de-identified patient case was presented by her PCP during the Dermatology ECHO session. The Dermatology ECHO specialty team mentored and educated the PCP in the diagnosis and treatment of ACD. After making the diagnosis, the patient received new treatment and her condition improved significantly. Dermatology ECHO provides a knowledge-sharing network for participating PCPs that may improve patient outcomes and reduce patient suffering.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dexter L. Louie ◽  
Mehret T. Assefa ◽  
Mark P. McGovern

Abstract Background The opioid epidemic is a major public health issue associated with significant overdose deaths. Effective treatments exist, such as the medication buprenorphine, but are not widely available. This narrative review examines the attitudes of primary care providers (PCPs) toward prescribing buprenorphine. Methods Narrative review of 20 articles published after the year 2000, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to organize the findings. Results Three of the five CFIR domains (“Intervention Characteristics,” “Outer Setting,” “Inner Setting”) were strongly represented in our analysis. Providers were concerned about the clientele associated with buprenorphine, diversion, and their self-efficacy in prescribing the medication. Some believed that buprenorphine does not belong in the discipline of primary care. Other barriers included philosophical objections and stigma toward substance use disorders. Notably, two studies reported a shift in attitudes once physicians prescribed buprenorphine to actual patients. Conclusions Negative attitudes toward buprenorphine encompassed multi-layered concerns, ranging from skepticism about the medication itself, the behaviors of patients with opioid use disorders, and beliefs regarding substance use disorders more generally. We speculate, however, that negative attitudes may be improved by tailoring support strategies that address providers’ self-efficacy and level of knowledge.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Francis ◽  
Kara Shifler Bowers ◽  
Glenn Buchberger ◽  
Sheryl Ryan ◽  
William Milchak ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Given that youth alcohol use is more common in rural communities, such communities can play a key role in preventing alcohol use among adolescents. Guidelines recommend primary care providers incorporate screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into routine care. OBJECTIVE The aim is to train primary care providers and school nurses within a rural 10-county catchment area in Pennsylvania to use SBIRT and facilitate collaboration with community organizations to better coordinate substance use prevention efforts. METHODS To build capacity to address underage drinking and opioid use among youth aged 9-20 years, this project uses telehealth, specifically Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to train primary care providers and school nurses to address substance use with SBIRT. Our project will provide 120 primary care providers and allied health professionals as well as 20 school nurses with SBIRT training. Community-based providers will participate in weekly virtual ECHO sessions with a multidisciplinary team from Penn State College of Medicine that will provide SBIRT training and facilitate case discussions among participants. RESULTS To date, we have launched one SBIRT ECHO project with school personnel, enrolling 34 participants. ECHO participants are from both rural (n=17) and urban (n=17) counties and include school nurses (n=15), school counselors (n=8), teachers (n=5), administrators (n=3), and social workers (n=3). Before the study began, only 2/13 (15.5%) of schools were screening for alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS This project teaches primary care clinics and schools to use SBIRT to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance use disorders, reduce problems associated with substance use disorders, and strengthen communities’ prevention capacity. Ours is an innovative model to improve rural adolescent health by reducing alcohol and opioid use. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/21015


Author(s):  
Patricia Pade ◽  
Laura Martin ◽  
Sophie Collins

Addiction and substance use disorders (SUDs) are extremely prevalent and are commonly encountered in the primary care setting. The traditional separation of SUD treatment from mainstream medicine has not been an optimal model of effective patient care. Primary care providers can play a crucial role in the recognition, intervention, and treatment of SUDs. This chapter provides an overview of the assessment process, intervention strategies, and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments that can be effectively implemented in an integrated care environment or primary care setting for a variety of SUDs. The integration of SUD treatment into integrated care environments holds the promise of improving acceptability to patients, decreasing the stigmatization of SUDs, enhancing satisfaction for providers, and improving outcomes for patients.


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