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

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.

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

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.

scholarly journals Exploring Health Professionals’ Experiences With a Virtual Learning and Mentoring Program (Project ECHO) on Pediatric Palliative Care in South Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110430
Author(s):  
Megan Doherty ◽  
Shokoufeh Modanloo ◽  
Emily Evans ◽  
Jennifer Rowe ◽  
Dennis Newhook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Online Education ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Pediatric Palliative Care ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Project Echo

Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative model of online education which has been proposed to enhance access to palliative care in resource-limited settings. There is limited literature describing how health care providers in low-and middle-income countries benefit from and learn from this type of training. This qualitative description study explores the learning experiences of participants in a Project ECHO program on pediatric palliative care in South Asia through focus group discussions. Discussions were transcribed, coded, independently verified, and arranged into overarching themes. We identified learning themes including the importance of creating a supportive learning community; the opportunity to share ideas and experiences; gaining knowledge and skills, and access to additional learning materials. Designing future programs to ensure a supportive and interactive learning community with attention cultural challenges may enhance learning from future Project ECHO programs.

Supporting and improving community health services—a prospective evaluation of ECHO technology in community palliative care nursing teams

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare White ◽  
Sonja McIlfatrick ◽  
Lynn Dunwoody ◽  
Max Watson
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Care Nursing

IntroductionProject ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) uses teleconferencing technology to support and train healthcare providers (HCPs) remotely, and has improved care across the USA. A 6-month pilot was trialled in a community palliative care nursing setting to determine if ECHO would be effective in the UK in providing education and support to community hospice nurses (CHN).MethodsThe pilot involved weekly 2 hour sessions of teaching and case-based discussions facilitated by hospice staff linking with nine teams of CHN using video conferencing technology. A mixed-methods prospective longitudinal cohort study was used to evaluate the pilot. Each CHN provided demographic data, and completed a written knowledge assessment and a self-efficacy tool before and after the pilot. Two focus groups were also performed after the pilot.Results28 CHNs completed the evaluation. Mean knowledge score improved significantly from 71.3% to 82.7% (p=0.0005) as did overall self-efficacy scores following the ECHO pilot. Pre-ECHO (p=0.036) and Retro-Pretest ECHO (p=0.0005) self-efficacy were significantly lower than post-ECHO. There was no significant difference between Pretest and Retro-Pretest ECHO self-efficacy (p=0.063). 96% recorded gains in learning, and 90% felt that ECHO had improved the care they provided for patients. 83% would recommend ECHO to other HCPs. 70% stated the technology used in ECHO had given them access to education that would have been hard to access due to geography.ConclusionsThis study supports the use of Project ECHO for CHNs in the UK by demonstrating how a 6-month pilot improved knowledge and self-efficacy. As a low-cost high-impact model, ECHO provides an affordable solution to addressing growing need.

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

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.

Improving Pediatrician’s Behavioral Health Competencies Through the Project ECHO Teleconsultation Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1049-1057
Author(s):  
Cody A. Hostutler ◽  
Jahnavi Valleru ◽  
Heather M. Maciejewski ◽  
Amy Hess ◽  
Sean P. Gleeson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
Underserved Patients ◽  
Development Approach

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.

scholarly journals Telementoring with project ECHO: a pilot study in Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clíona Ní Cheallaigh ◽  
Aisling O’Leary ◽  
Shay Keating ◽  
Aileen Singleton ◽  
Sheila Heffernan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Educational Benefits ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
The Usa

The Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) project is a novel educational intervention designed in New Mexico to transfer subspecialty knowledge about hepatitis C virus (HCV) to primary care providers, thereby increasing patient access to HCV care. The ECHO model has been shown to deliver educational benefits and to result in good treatment outcomes for HCV-infected individuals in the USA; however, this approach has not been assessed in a European setting.We sought to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and implementation of the ECHO model in Ireland using a pilot study. We present a descriptive review of recruitment, participation, retention and cost of the intervention as well as a qualitative review of the views of participants on the barriers, benefits and acceptability of the ECHO model. In the original Project ECHO in New Mexico, geographical distance posed the greatest barrier to accessing HCV care. In Ireland, people who inject drugs (PWID) were identified by interviewees as the main group facing barriers to accessing specialist HCV care. State-employed doctors and nurses caring for large numbers of HCV-infected PWID in opiate substitution treatment centres and homeless hostels were successfully recruited to participate in the project. Self-employed general practitioners did not participate, due mainly to a lack of time and the absence of reimbursement for participation. Practitioners who participated in the pilot reported benefits to themselves and their patients and would like to continue to participate in similar multidisciplinary, multisite educational interventions in the future.

scholarly journals Developing a New Model of Interprofessional Education in Aging and IDD

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 226-226
Author(s):  
Faith Helm ◽  
Edward Ansello ◽  
Phillip Clark
Keyword(s):  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Health And Social Care

Abstract Health and social care providers are ill-equipped to address the complex needs of individuals growing older with IDD and their families when dementia is suspected or diagnosed. Addressing the growing need for professionals to acquire practical diagnostic, treatment, and management methods requires an interorganizational and interprofessional approach. A consortium of aging and IDD organizations developed a successful Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model to create a virtual community of practice connecting a hub team and participating spoke sites. This paper reviews reasons for the model’s success, including: (1) curriculum providing practical solutions to complex problems, (2) integration of interprofessional team approach, (3) “all teach, all learn” model promoting sharing among participants, and (4) the inclusion of case studies engaging participants in developing solutions and strategies to improve the quality of life of clients and families. Implications of this model and recommendations for future professional educational programs are presented.

scholarly journals Project ECHO-Geriatrics: Training Future Primary Care Providers to Meet the Needs of Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Bennett ◽  
Thuan Ong ◽  
Aimee M. Verrall ◽  
Michael V. Vitiello ◽  
Zachary A. Marcum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Project Echo

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.

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