Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a telementoring program designed to improve healthcare education and access to specialized care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Developed at the University of New Mexico, it connects expert teams with community-based healthcare providers through videoconferencing. This approach enables primary care providers to learn from specialists and peers through case-based discussions and guided practice, ultimately enhancing their ability to manage complex health conditions within their communities.
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care ECHO Program, a collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and UCSF, is a specialized initiative designed to enhance dementia care expertise among healthcare providers. This program leverages the Project ECHO model, which uses virtual, case-based learning to connect primary care teams with multidisciplinary dementia care specialists.
Overview of the Program
- Purpose: The program aims to improve the capacity of primary care providers (PCPs) to diagnose, manage, and support patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, particularly in underserved communities.
- Structure: It is a free, six-month program featuring biweekly virtual sessions. Each session includes: A brief didactic presentation on dementia-related topics (e.g., the biology of dementia, care planning, managing behaviors), Case-based discussions where PCPs present real, de-identified patient cases for expert feedback, and group consultation.
- Participants: The program targets multidisciplinary teams in primary care settings, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists. It is open to both individual providers and clinic teams.
Key Features
- Interactive Learning: Sessions are modeled after clinical rounds, fostering collaboration between community providers (spokes) and dementia experts (hub).
- Focus Areas: Topics include early detection, diagnosis, communication with patients and caregivers, care planning, and management of dementia-related behaviors.
- Expert Faculty: Specialists from UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center and the Alzheimer’s Association lead the sessions.
- Resources Provided: Participants gain access to evidence-based guidelines, peer-reviewed cases, and continuing education credits at no cost.
Benefits
- Increased Provider Confidence: PCPs gain the skills and knowledge needed to offer high-quality dementia care within their own communities.
- Improved Access to Care: By empowering local providers, the program reduces geographic barriers to specialty dementia care.
- Cost-Effective Training: Free participation eliminates financial barriers for providers while offering continuing education credits.
Since its inception in 2021, this collaboration has successfully trained numerous healthcare teams across California and beyond. The program has been instrumental in promoting person-centered dementia care while addressing disparities in access to specialized services.
