Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) and CHAS

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a collaborative model of clinical education and care management that empowers professionals everywhere to provide enhanced care to more children in their community.

CHAS underwent training to become a centre of excellence “Hub” for children’s palliative care in Scotland, with the aim of reaching professionals caring for children with life shortening conditions. By providing a forum and facilitating ECHO clinics we will help to ensure communities have the right knowledge, at the right place, at the right time, enhancing the quality of care children receive. ECHO is evidence-based practice and is the fastest way to disseminate the most current information by creating a learning loop.

The ECHO model sees communities of practice (a group of members with a shared focus engaging in joint discussions and with a commitment to share) meet via the Zoom platform (see attached guide) which can be accessed anywhere via any mobile device with an internet connection at agreed dates and times, with an educational programme determined by the community members. Some examples of Highland Hospice communities are; Community Nurse Specialists, Child Bereavement, Community Pharmacists and Care at Home. ECHO breaks down institutional barriers by creating a cultural shift, as everyone is teacher and learner who can participate in providing advice and support, building confidence to those at the coal face caring for children. We know people work with more confidence when they don’t feel isolated. ECHO creates a community of the willing with a shared focus and shared competences.

Communities can also review their ECHO clinics on Moodle as sessions are recorded and uploaded by the Hub (each community can only access their resource folder and case presentations are anonymised so there are no data protection concerns). Resources that are identified during clinics are also uploaded, resulting in a bank of resources to further learning. ECHO is a brilliant concept in learning but the best part is that all the administration and facilitation work is completed by the Hub, members of communities only need to commit to creating an educational programme relevant to their needs, and attending sessions to share knowledge via delivering a didactic or case presentation, or participating in their discussion. The Hub even offers IT support!

If you wish to find out more, please complete the attached registration form and email danielleharley@chas.org.uk.

Here is a short film with some more information about ECHO and its benefits.