Pediatric Project ECHO: Implementation of a Virtual Medical Education Program to Support Community Management of Children With Medical Complexity

OBJECTIVES: Health care providers (HCPs) require ongoing support to meet the evolving care needs of children with medical complexity (CMC). Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is a model for delivering technology-enabled medical education and cultivating a community of practice. In this study, we focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating the first ECHO program dedicated to the care of CMC. Specific objectives were to evaluate the program feasibility (participation and acceptability) and impact on perceived HCP knowledge, self-efficacy, and clinical practice after 6 months.

METHODS: A needs assessment was conducted to inform an interprofessional CMC curriculum. This curriculum was delivered through monthly virtual TeleECHO clinics (didactic and case-based learning) from January 2018 to 2020. The program was available at no cost to HCPs throughout Ontario. Surveys were distributed at baseline and 6 months to assess program acceptability, knowledge, self-efficacy, and practice impact by using 7-point Likert scales. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: Twenty-four clinics were completed with a mean of 19 ± 6 attendees. Acceptability scores (n = 27) ranged from 5.0 ± 1.1 to 6.4 ± 0.6. Participants reported an improvement in their knowledge and self-efficacy across all probed topics and skills (P values ranged from <.001 to .006). These knowledge and self-efficacy scores related to “complex care support,” “feeding support,” and “respiratory support.” The majority of participants reported positive or very positive practice impacts, including enhanced ability to provide quality care to CMC.

CONCLUSIONS: Project ECHO is a feasible and acceptable model for virtual education of interprofessional HCPs in managing CMC. This program has the potential to increase system capacity to provide quality care to CMC close to home.