Project ECHO Cancer Initiative: a Tool to Improve Care and Increase Capacity Along the Continuum of Cancer Care

Authors

Melissa Lopez Varon, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Ellen Baker, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Emily Byers, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Lucca Cirolia, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Oliver Bogler, Center for Cancer Training, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Matthew Bouchonville, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Kathleen Schmeler, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Roopa Hariprasad, Division of Clinical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, New Delhi, India
C S. Pramesh, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Sanjeev Arora, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA; UNM School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2021

Abstract

Solving health problems requires not only the development of new medical knowledge but also its dissemination, particularly to underserved communities. The barriers to effective dissemination also contribute to the disparities in cancer care experienced most everywhere. This concern is particularly acute in low and middle-income countries which already bear a disproportionate burden of cancer, a situation that is projected to worsen. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a knowledge dissemination platform that can increase workforce capacity across many fields, including cancer care by scaling best practices. Here we describe how Project ECHO works and illustrate this with existing programs that span the cancer care continuum and the globe. The examples provided combined with the explanation of how to build effective Project ECHO communities provide an accessible guide on how this education strategy can be integrated into existing work to help respond to the challenge of cancer.

Recommended Citation

Varon, M.L., Baker, E., Byers, E. et al. Project ECHO Cancer Initiative: a Tool to Improve Care and Increase Capacity Along the Continuum of Cancer Care. J Canc Educ 36, 25–38 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-021-02031-0