Societal Impacts of Cyber Security Assets of Project ECHO

Solutions on both consumer and state levels have become increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks by e.g. malware, phishing, machine learning and artificial intelligence. As the adoption and integration of information technologies are increasing and solutions are developing, the need to invest in cyber-security is at an all-time high. Investment in cybersecurity is a chief priority within the European Union, and project ECHO is a one initiative that put emphasis on devising, elaborating, implementing and enhancing a series of technological solutions (assets) to counteract cyber-attacks. The research problem of this study is what societal impacts do the ECHO assets have as product, as knowledge use, and as benefits to society. The literature review includes theory and practice from academic papers, EU innovation project and professional reports, and some ECHO project workflows. Relevant academic theoretical approaches that provide a basis for this task are: e-skills and training, Organisational Learning (OL), Societal Impact (SI), Societal Impact Assessment (SIA). This is a qualitative pilot study that evaluates the usefulness of employing a Product/ Knowledge/ Benefit Societal Impact framework to assessment of societal impacts. Data collection involved qualitative participatory observation of a co-creative expert hackathon workshop. This pilot study shows that the methodology path, where societal impact of ICT and AI solutions (e.g. the ECHO assets) are examined as these three elements (product, knowledge use, societal benefit). This pilot study serves as a step to validate this path and design and select practical, rigorous and relevant quantitative methodology to further the understanding of both societal impact assessment of cyber, e-, and AI-based solutions and services. To incorporate societal impacts with cyber and e-skills this study recommends developing and refining actual key performance indicators (KPI) to provide a basis for rigorous and relevant qualitative and quantitative questionnaire based inquiry of cyber, e-, and AI-based solutions and services.

Alzheimer's Association Project VITAL: A Florida Statewide Initiative Using Technology to Impact Social Isolation and Well-Being

Lack of social engagement and the resulting social isolation can have negative impacts on health and well-being, especially in senior care communities and for those living with dementia. Project VITAL leverages technology and community resources to create a network for connection, engagement, education, and support of individuals with dementia and their caregivers, and explores the impact of these interventions in reducing feelings of social isolation and increasing mood among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through two phases, 600 personalized Wi-Fi-enabled iN2L tablets were distributed to 300 senior care communities (55% assisted living communities, 37% skilled nursing communities, 6% memory care communities, and 2% adult family-care homes) to connect and engage residents and their families. Different phases also included Project ECHO, a video-based learning platform, Alzheimer's Association virtual and online education and support for family caregivers, evidence-based online professional dementia care staff training and certification, and Virtual Forums designed to explore ways to build sustainable, scalable models to ensure access to support and decrease social isolation in the future. Tablet usage was collected over an 11-month period and an interim survey was designed to assess the effectiveness of the tablets, in preventing social isolation and increasing mood among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 105 care community staff (whose community used the tablets) completed the survey and overall, these staff showed a high level of agreement to statements indicating that residents struggled with loneliness and mood, and that the tablet was useful in improving loneliness and mood in residents and allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends. Additional positive results were seen through a variety of other responses around the tablets and Project ECHO. Overall, the tablets were shown to be an effective way to engage residents and connect them with friends and family, as well as being a useful tool for staff members. A third phase is currently underway in the homes of people with dementia and their family caregivers, which includes tablets and direct access to Alzheimer's Association virtual and online education and support programs.

Implications and Recommendations From a Project ECHO Series on Aging With IDD

Ongoing evaluations of innovative educational programs provide opportunities for quality improvement. This paper reports results from a Project ECHO series on lifelong IDD and dementia. Participant responses (n = 85) were collected from spoke sites in various settings across the US. Using a 5-point (5 very effective) Likert scale, data were collected from assessment items on 4 didactic presentations and 5 case studies representing essential components of the ECHO model. Overall scores by spoke sites for satisfaction with the didactic and case presentations ranged from 3.94 to 4.94; relevance of case studies to the work setting ranged from 4.0 to 4.75. Knowledge gain questions showed consistently positive directionality. As a result of their participation, spokes rated intent to provide better care for patients (57% to 88%), train staff (62% to 81%), and educate family/caregivers (57% to 88%). Implications of findings for the application of quality improvement methods are discussed.

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

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.

Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network: Responding With Stress First Aid and Caring for Residents With Dementia

The GWEP at the University of Rochester (New York) has an established network of nursing homes participating in Project ECHO. This ECHO hub includes geriatric medicine, psychiatry, pharmacy, aging services network and the Alzheimer’s Association focusing on best practices in geriatric mental health and dementia care. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this infrastructure quickly pivoted to expansion of 80 facilities and the addition of expertise in medical direction, trauma informed care, and infectious disease. A stress first aid training module was developed in partnership with Ithaca College and the National Center for PTSD to support front line nursing home workers. Dementia care experts contributed to practical problem-solving in addressing social isolation and mental health. Work now is focusing on vaccination and how to best support trauma-informed needs of residents with dementia.

Developing a New Model of Interprofessional Education in Aging and IDD

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.

NC CAN COVID-19 Action Network: Project ECHO in North Carolina

Experts in geriatrics, infection control and nursing home administration joined the ECHO Hub team led by The Carolina Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (CGWEP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Ninety-two of North Carolina’s 423 nursing homes enrolled in a 16-week videoconference series designed to address clinical, logistical, and leadership issues related to COVID-19. The CGWEP coordinated recruitment with two other Training Centers at UNC Family Medicine and the Mountain Area Health Education Center, reaching 58% of all NC nursing homes (N=245). Faculty used curriculum and pre-recorded videos provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Discussions demonstrated real-world problem solving as participants applied what they learned to local conditions. Quality Improvement (QI) experts from IHI mentored participants in gathering data and completing Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to better respond to the challenges of COVID-19 among a critically vulnerable population.