About Project ECHO

ECHOProject ECHO is a lifelong learning and guided practice model that is designed to build capacity of individuals around the state to provide evidence-based services.  The heart of the ECHO model is its hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing networks.  Hub and spoke knowledge-sharing networks create a learning loop:

  • Community providers learn from specialists.
  • Community providers learn from each other.
  • Specialists learn from community providers as best practices emerge

ECHO History and Philosophy

Project ECHO was launched in 2003 as a healthcare initiative before expanding into other domains. It grew out of one doctor’s vision. Sanjeev Arora, M.D., a liver disease specialist at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, was frustrated that he could serve only a fraction of the hepatitis C patients in the state. He wanted to serve as many patients with hepatitis C as possible, so he created a free, educational model and mentored community providers across New Mexico in how to treat the condition.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that hepatitis C care provided by Project ECHO trained community providers was as good as care provided by specialists at a university.

The ECHO model is not traditional “telemedicine” where the specialist assumes care of the patient, but is instead telementoring, a guided practice model where the participating clinician retains responsibility for managing the patient.

  • Amplification – use technology to leverage scarce resources
  • Best practices – to reduce disparity
  • Case-based learning – to master complexity
  • Data – monitor outcomes with our web-based database

 All Teach, All Learn

When all the principles are applied, a learning community in which “All Teach and All Learn” comes together. This includes:

  • Interactive Components
  • Guided Practice
  • Ongoing Mentorship
  • Peer-to-Peer Learning
  • Collaborative Problem Solving

ECHO Models: Medical and Education