Project ECHO: Enhancing palliative care for primary care occupational therapists and physiotherapists in Ireland

Abstract

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) uses videoconferencing technology to support and train healthcare professionals (HCPs) remotely. A 4‐month fortnightly ECHO programme was developed and implemented to enhance palliative care provision by primary care therapists. Teaching and case‐based discussions were facilitated by palliative care specialists. A mixed‐methods cohort study was used to evaluate the project. ECHO participants completed pre‐ and post‐programme questionnaires regarding their knowledge and skills across key palliative care domains. Focus groups were held before programme commencement to explore participants' attitudes and experiences of palliative care and after programme conclusion to explore their experiences of ECHO. Twenty‐six primary care HCPs commenced the ECHO programme. Mean scores in self‐rated confidence in knowledge and skill improved significantly (p < .002) following the programme. Twenty‐one primary care HCPs completed the post‐ECHO surveys and scores of self‐rated confidence in knowledge and skills were significantly higher than pre‐ECHO scores. Ninety‐five percent of participants (n = 19) reported ECHO met their learning needs and was an effective format to enhance clinical knowledge. Eighty‐five percent of participants (n = 17) would recommend ECHO to their colleagues. Project ECHO improved palliative care knowledge and skills of primary care HCPs in Ireland, with potential to address the growing need for integrated palliative care services.

A mixed methods evaluation of the impact of ECHO® telementoring model for capacity building of community health workers in India

“…This study findings highlight the improvement in knowledge of ASHAs related to oral health and palliative care post-ECHO training. An improvement in knowledge has also been observed in other studies that have evaluated ECHO telementoring interventions in cancer screening [ 36 ], palliative care [ 37 , 38 ], HIV [ 39 ], and chronic pain [ 40 ] In this study, ASHAs reported poor knowledge of the immunisation schedule for a newborn as well as the confidence to record and track immunisation in the community even after the ECHO training. A critical function of ASHAs is to assist ANMs or nurses with all immunisation activities [ 41 ].…”

Misconception between palliative care and euthanasia among Thai general practitioners: a cross-sectional study

“…Undergraduate curricula should include topics related to (1) discontinuation of unnecessary medical procedures and (2) management of sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants in PC patients. Case-based learning and short didactic lectures have demonstrated the potential to expand and distribute knowledge and skills in the field of PC [ 56 ]. They have significantly increased physicians’ confidence in practising PC in the Thai context [ 57 ].…”

Palliative care in Ireland

“…Od tego czasu ukazały się jeszcze dwie odsłony tego szkolenia (wszystkie finansowane przez Health Service Executive), a uczestnicy zwrócili uwagę przede wszystkim na zwiększenie swojego zasobu wiedzy z zakresu terapii bólu i Advace Care Planning [18]. Pozytywnie został również odebrany kurs skierowany do terapeutów zajęciowych oraz fizjoterapeutów [19].…”