Project ECHO
The Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model was established in 2003 at the University of New Mexico, School of Medicine to develop the capacity to demonopolize knowledge and amplify the capacity to provide best practice care for underserved populations. The ECHO model™ develops knowledge and capacity amongst rural community-based providers through:
- Using technology
- Improving outcomes
- Case-based learning
- Tracking data
This model is committed to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations by equipping rural community providers with the right knowledge, at the right place, at the right time to locally deliver high-quality care.
The ECHO model does not actually “provide” care to patients. Instead, it dramatically increases access to specialty treatment expertise in rural and underserved areas by providing front-line clinicians with the knowledge and ongoing support they need to manage patients with complex conditions.