Enhanced Primary Care Treatment of Behavioral Disorders With ECHO Case-Based Learning

Authors

Miriam Komaromy, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Judy Bartlett, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kathryn Manis, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sanjeev Arora, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2017

Abstract

The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model offers a way for primary care providers to develop expertise in addressing behavioral health issues of primary care patients. It provides an alternative to traditional continuing medical education (CME) for ongoing training and support for health care providers. ECHO uses videoconferencing to connect multiple primary care teams simultaneously with academic specialists and builds capacity via mentorship and case-based learning. ECHO aims to expand access to care by developing capacity to treat common, complex conditions in underserved areas. Participants in an integrated addictions and psychiatry teleECHO program reported that when they presented a patient case, the feedback they received was highly valuable and led them to change their care plans more than 75% of the time. ECHO is an effective model for teaching primary care teams about behavioral health and may be more effective than traditional CME approaches.

Recommended Citation

Komaromy M, Bartlett J, Manis K, Arora S. Enhanced Primary Care Treatment of Behavioral Disorders With ECHO Case-Based Learning. Psychiatr Serv. 2017 Sep 1;68(9):873-875. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201600471. Epub 2017 Aug 15. PMID: 28806893.