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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Project ECHO?

  (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a guided-practice model that aims to increase workforce capacity by sharing knowledge. Specialists at the “hub” site meet regularly with primary care providers in local communities via videoconferencing to train primary care providers in the delivery of specialty care services.

  The ECHO model™, developed at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, does not provide care directly to patients. Instead, it provides front-line clinicians with the knowledge and support they need to manage patients with complex conditions in the patients’ own communities. This dramatically increases access to specialty treatment, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

• What is the ECHO model?
  1. Use Technology to leverage scarce resources
  2. Share “best practices” to reduce disparities
  3. Apply case-based learning to master complexity
  4. Evaluate and monitor outcomes

  
• What is the structure of a session?
  • Start Session - Zoom room opens 20 minutes prior to the session start
  • Introductions and Announcements
  • Didactic Presentation - 30 minutes or less; includes time for Q&A
  • Case Presentation
  • Final Announcements - Upcoming session information and where to access materials

   

• How Can I Participate?
  • Register as an attendee
    • Get informed through the didactic presentation
    • Learn through hearing case presentations from other medical providers caring for patients similar to yours
  • Register and submit a case for a potential presentation
  • Offer recommendations based on best practices, current guidelines, and your experience after the case presentation during session
  • Email stacie.pannell@umontana.edu if you are interested in presenting a topic during the didactic portion
  • Email stacie.pannell@umontana.edu if you are interested in participating as a subject matter expert
• How do I register?

  To register for an ECHO program through the Center, please fill out a . Once registered, a packet of information will be sent to you via email.

• Is there a fee associated with participating?

  There is no cost and the only requirement to join an ECHO session is access to a computer or mobile device with a connection to the internet.

• How do I get Zoom?
  • Download the free version of the and select “Zoom Client for Meetings.” This document provides instructions on downloading and performing basic operations of Zoom with step-by-step screenshots.
  • Although a camera is not required for participation, it is strongly encouraged to build an engaging community of practice. If your computer does not have a built-in video camera and microphone, a simple USB webcam will fulfill this purpose. 
  • You may consider the use of a headset or headphones instead of your device’s speakers and/or microphone, particularly if there are background noises in your local environment.
  • To avoid technical issues on the day of the clinic session, we advise that you schedule a time to perform a connectivity test with leslie.clachrie@umontana.edu.

  Connecting to an ECHO Clinic Session

  • You will regularly receive email notifications from the ECHO Program Coordinator prior to the upcoming clinic announcing the didactic topic. The email will include a link to join the ECHO clinic via Zoom. Additionally, the Zoom link is always included in the calendar invite.
  • The Zoom meeting room approximately 15-20 minutes prior to the clinic start time.
  • On the day of the clinic, please join the session a few minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This will give you sufficient time to confirm you have a stable internet connection and test your audio and video.

  How Can I Receive Technical Support?

  • For questions about Zoom, preparing for a teleECHO clinic session, or scheduling a time for testing, please contact leslie.clachrie@umontana.edu.
• Can I present a case?

  The submission of cases for presentation and discussion or consultation is a key component in the Project ECHO model and critically important for knowledge building and sharing. We welcome cases that involve common clinical scenarios related to diagnosis and care as well as difficult, complex, or challenging presentations and patient management scenarios.

  Please fill out a case submission form and submit it to stacie.pannell@umontana.edu.

  If you are unable to present or uncomfortable presenting, please let us know.

• How do I present a case?

  Before the Session:

  • Fill out the respective online form: Hep C, DIS, and HIV
  • An ECHO network coordinator will work with you to schedule a date and provide any additional information

  During the Session:

  • The facilitator will introduce you and provide time to present your case to the network.
  • The Program Coordinator will scroll through your case presentation as you present
  • Please verbally summarize your case in five minutes or less.
  • Facilitator will ask if there are any questions, clarifications, or recommendations.
  • At the conclusion of the discussion, the facilitator will summarize recommendations from all participants.

  After the Session:

  • The ECHO team will create a feedback document outlining recommendations and resources within two weeks of the case presentation.
  • You will be invited to share an update of your case with the network in a future session.

  If you are considering presenting a case, but want to discuss it prior to submitting the form, contact stacie.pannell@umontana.edu.