Project ECHO: The Evidence Is Catching Up With The Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm can be a double-edged sword, as Christopher Langston notes in his recent critique of Project ECHO. He describes the model’s success as a case of enthusiasm overtaking evidence. It’s true that the spread of ECHO has outpaced the publication of the research exploring it. The enthusiasm of specialists and primary care providers engaged in this model of collaborative practice and mentorship has spurred tremendous momentum for ECHO all over the world. In fewer than 14 years, Project ECHO, which I developed with my colleagues at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center as a way to help people with hepatitis C get treatment, has spread to address more than 50 complex medical conditions. More than 100 academic organizations lead ECHO projects in 30-plus states and 21 countries, connecting with thousands of community clinics. And more than 200 other ECHO projects are in the pipeline. The Research Meanwhile, 46 published peer-reviewed papers from 18 academic centers in five countries describe a range of benefits and positive impacts from ECHO. But more research is needed to continue to build our understanding of the model and its impacts and ensure its continual improvement. At the ECHO Institute, we are committed to a full and rigorous exploration of the ECHO model, which is why outcome monitoring is a critical pillar in our work. It’s the only way we will achieve our goal of improving the lives of underserved populations around the world. The body of work ...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Featured Health Professionals Organization and Delivery Population Health Public Health Quality Primary Care Project ECHO Source Type: blogs