Feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of Project ECHO to expand capacity for pediatricians in Vietnam

Abstract Background The Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model is considered a platform for academic medical centers to expand their healthcare workforce capacity to medically underserved populations. It has been known as an effective solution of continuing medical education (CME) for healthcare workers that used a hub-and-spoke model to leverage knowledge from specialists to primary healthcare providers in different regions. In this study, we aim to explore the views of healthcare providers and hospital leaders regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of Project ECHO for pediatricians. Methods This qualitative study was conducted at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and its satellite hospitals from July to December 2020. We conducted 39 in-depth interviews with hospital managers and healthcare providers who participated in online Project ECHO courses. A thematic analysis approach was performed to extract the qualitative data from in-depth interviews. Results Project ECHO shows high feasibility when healthcare providers find motivated to improve their professional knowledge. Besides, they realized the advantages of saving time and money with online training. Although the courses had been covered fully by the Ministry of Health’s fund, the participants said they could pay fees or be supported by the hospital’s fund. In particular, the expectation of attaining the CME-credited certificates after completing the course also contributes to the sustainability of the program. Project ECHO’s online courses should be improved if the session was better monitored with suitable time arrangements. Conclusions Project ECHO model is highly feasible, acceptable, and sustainable as it brings great benefits to the healthcare providers, and is appropriate with the policy theme of continuing medical education of the Ministry of Health. We recommend that further studies should be conducted to assess the impact of the ECHO program, especially for patient and community outcomes.

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Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) as a tool for continuing medical education on opioid use disorder and comorbidities

Addiction ◽

10.1111/add.14494 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 114 (3) ◽

pp. 573-574 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jon Agley ◽

Zachary W. Adams ◽

Leslie A. Hulvershorn

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Continuing Medical Education ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Community Healthcare

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Exploring learners’ perspectives of a Project ECHO palliative care education curriculum in resource-limited settings in light of key learning theories

10.21203/rs.2.21713/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Megan Doherty ◽

Shokoufeh Modanloo ◽

Emily Evans ◽

Dennis Newhook ◽

Doug Archibald

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Learning Theories ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Care Providers ◽

Specialist Care ◽

Community Healthcare ◽

Project Echo

Abstract Background: Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a well-established telehealth educational platform developed to improve access to specialist care training in underserved areas. The objective of this study is to explore the learning experiences of participants in a Project ECHO targeting care providers in India and explore considerations for how ECHO programs could be modified to cater to the unique learning needs of individuals in low- and middle-income countries. Methods : We implemented a one-year Project ECHO on pediatric palliative care (ECHO PPC) targeting healthcare providers in India. The program consisted of 24 bi-weekly sessions (March 2018-February 2019) hosted by the Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care in Hyderabad, India. Learners who attended at least 20% (5 sessions) were eligible to participate. Data related to demographic characteristics of ECHO PPC participants were collected. Four focus groups were conducted (February-April 2019) either online via videoconference or in person. Focus groups recordings were transcribed, coded and independently verified. The codes were then arranged into overarching themes.Results : Thirty-six learners were eligible and invited to participate in the study. Seventeen individuals completed the study. Following coding and analysis, two major themes and seven sub-themes were identified. The themes included: (1) Benefits of participation in ECHO PPC (creation of a community of practice; opportunity to exchange cultures, ideas and experiences; supportive role of the facilitator and peers; increased relevant knowledge and skills; and access to additional learning resources) and (2) Barriers to participation (difficulties with time and practice schedule management and language and sociocultural factors). Conclusion: The key principals of learning theories were incorporated into forming the Project ECHO conceptual model in this study. PPC Project ECHO facilitated community building, stimulated professional interest and additional learning outside of the program. However, addressing the barriers and challenges might likely enhance the success of the program in future.

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Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs' Participation in the Nursing Home COVID Action Network

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1894 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 493-493

Author(s):

Leland Waters ◽

Nina Tumosa

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Health Resources ◽

Healthcare Research ◽

Nursing Facilities ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Community Healthcare ◽

Project Echo ◽

Action Network ◽

The University

Abstract In late September, 2020, the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program’s (GWEP) Program Officer, at the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), alerted the 48 GWEPs about a nationwide initiative focusing specifically on the pandemic’s effect in nursing facilities. The ECHO Institute at the University of New Mexico negotiated a national contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to provide a nationwide educational intervention via the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. The ECHO Institute recruited over 100 Training Centers as educational coordinators for the Project ECHO Nursing Home National COVID Action Network. Our Project Officer suggested that individual GWEPs participate in this effort and take the lead or provide geriatric educators for these Training Centers. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative telementoring program that creates virtual learning communities, bringing together healthcare providers and subject matter experts using videoconference technology for brief presentations, and case-based learning, fostering an “all learn, all teach” approach. This symposium will describe the journeys that five GWEPs experienced becoming Training Centers, rapidly deploying a nursing home ECHO project, to support nursing home staff on best practices for protecting patients, staff, and visitors from coronavirus infection and spread. GWEPs from The University of Louisville, the University of North Carolina, the University of North Texas, the University of Rochester and The Virginia Geriatric Education Center’s two ECHO Hubs, joined the National COVID Action Network. This presentation will provide an overview of why GWEPs are well positioned to address emergent needs with short notice.

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Hepatitis C Videoconferencing: The impact on continuing medical education for rural healthcare providers

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(03)83955-0 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 124 (4) ◽

pp. A783

Author(s):

Lorenzo Rossaro ◽

Thu P. Tran ◽

Genell Csik ◽

Stacey L. Cole ◽

Julie Rainwater ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Continuing Medical Education ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Rural Healthcare ◽

The Impact

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Hepatitis C Videoconferencing: The Impact on Continuing Medical Education for Rural Healthcare Providers

Telemedicine Journal and e-Health ◽

10.1089/tmj.2006.0050 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 269-277 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Lorenzo Rossaro ◽

Thu P. Tran ◽

Kanat Ransibrahmanakul ◽

Julie A. Rainwater ◽

Genell Csik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Continuing Medical Education ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Rural Healthcare ◽

The Impact

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Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) in Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2016-099 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 283-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kurt L. Johnson ◽

Deborah Hertz ◽

Gary Stobbe ◽

Kevin Alschuler ◽

Rosalind Kalb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Pacific Northwest ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Underserved Populations ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Potential Effect ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Community Healthcare ◽

Project Echo ◽

The Pacific

Background: A pilot program using the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model was conducted for multiple sclerosis (MS) clinicians in the Pacific Northwest. The pilot was a collaboration between the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and faculty at the University of Washington. The goal was to determine the feasibility of using this telehealth model to increase the capacity and capability of clinicians in rural areas to treat people with MS. Methods: Thirteen practice sites with 24 clinicians were recruited to participate. Videoconferencing was used to conduct weekly sessions consisting of brief didactics followed by case consultations. Results: Most participants completing the outcome survey (10 of 15) indicated that they were more confident in treating patients with MS. They were satisfied with the training, felt better able to care for their patients, and had made changes in their treatment based on the case consultations and didactic content. They valued the case studies and case-based didactics and learned from each other as well as from the team. Conclusions: The pilot MS Project ECHO warrants further investigation regarding its potential effect on access to MS care delivery for underserved populations.

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Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Palliative Care in Africa Program: Improving Access to Quality Palliative Care

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.19.00128 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sriram Yennurajalingam ◽

Charles E. Amos ◽

John Weru ◽

Edwina Beryl V.N.D. Addo Opare-Lokko ◽

Joseph Anthony Arthur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Care Providers ◽

Community Healthcare ◽

Project Echo ◽

Attitudes And Knowledge ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

PURPOSE There is limited access to quality palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim was to describe the development of the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Palliative Care in Africa (ECHO-PACA) program and describe a preliminary evaluation of attitudes and knowledge of participants regarding the ability of the program to deliver quality PC. METHODS An interdisciplinary team at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, guided by experts in PC in sub-Saharan Africa, adapted a standardized curriculum based on PC needs in the region. Participants were then recruited, and monthly telementoring sessions were held for 16 months. The monthly telementoring sessions consisted of case presentations, discussions, and didactic lectures. Program participants came from 14 clinics and teaching hospitals in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. Participants were surveyed at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the 16-month program to evaluate changes in attitudes and knowledge of PC. RESULTS The median number of participants per session was 30. Thirty-three (83%) of 40 initial participants completed the feedback survey. Health care providers’ self-reported confidence in providing PC increased with participation in the Project ECHO-PACA clinic. There was significant improvement in the participants’ attitudes and knowledge, especially in titrating opioids for pain control ( P = .042), appropriate use of non-opioid analgesics ( P = .012), and identifying and addressing communication issues related to end-of-life care ( P = .014). CONCLUSION Project ECHO-PACA was a successful approach for disseminating knowledge about PC. The participants were adherent to ECHO PACA clinics and the completion of feedback surveys. Future studies should evaluate the impact of Project ECHO-PACA on changes in provider practice as well as patient outcomes.

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Men and sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Nordic countries: a scoping review

10.1101/2021.04.20.21255777 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mazen Baroudi ◽

Jon Petter Stoor ◽

Hanna Blåhed ◽

Kerstin Edin ◽

Anna-Karin Hurtig

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Nordic Countries ◽

Health Policies ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Reproductive Healthcare ◽

The Impact

AbstractContextMen generally seek healthcare less often than women and, other than traditional gender norms, less is known about the explanation. The aim was to identify knowledge gaps and factors influencing men regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHC) in the Nordic countries.MethodsWe searched PubMed and SveMed+ for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2020. The analyses identified factors influencing men’s experiences of and access to SRHC.ResultsThe majority of the 68 articles included focused on pregnancy, birth, infertility, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. During pregnancy and childbirth, men were treated as accompanying partners rather than individuals with their own needs. The knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers were crucial for their ability to provide SRHC and for the experiences of men. Organizational obstacles, such as women-centred SRHC and no assigned profession, hindered men’s access to SRHC. Lastly, the literature rarely discussed the impact of health policies on men’s access to SRHC.ConclusionsThe identified knowledge gap indicates the necessity of the improved health and medical education of healthcare providers, as well as of health system interventions.

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