Technology plays a crucial role in bridging gaps between patients and providers. In North Carolina, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), has emerged as a vital tool for improving care in underserved communities.
Though there are several Project ECHO™ programs throughout the state, no centralized directory currently exists. As a result, PEN-NC is working to understand the current landscape of Project ECHO™ in North Carolina, and to create a comprehensive directory of both previous and existing programs.
Purpose of the ECHO™ Landscape
As we work towards creating a comprehensive ECHO™ directory, PEN-NC aims to leverage the landscape in the following areas:
1. Landscape Analysis
One of the primary goals of the Project EHCO landscape is to identify priority communities within North Carolina that face disparate access to quality care. Broadly, fifty-three rural counties throughout the state are designated as both Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). In identifying these high-priority areas, PEN-NC aims to advance equitable access to health care and to Project ECHO™ programs. More specifically by identifying the gaps in the ECHO™ landscape and increasing opportunities to reach and engage health care workers in these priority communities to encourage ECHO™ recruitment.
Rural counties designated as HPSAs & MUAs
Location of Project ECHO™ Hubs
2. Community Engagement
PEN-NC is working to broaden the network and identify hubs hosting Project ECHO™ programs throughout the state. At every stage of development, PEN-NC aims to ensure that the needs and interests of ECHO™ hubs are centered throughout decision-making. Thus, PEN-NC will leverage the Project ECHO™ landscape to identify key stakeholders for collaboration, including advisory group engagement from participants in several areas throughout the state.
3. Network & Recruiting
As more ECHO™ hubs join the PEN-NC network, we aim to use participation data to determine the various organizations represented as ECHO™ spokes. This data will allow PEN-NC to tailor recruitment strategies to better engage health care workers and providers serving high-priority areas. Furthermore, PEN-NC can also streamline participation in Project ECHO™ programs by developing a comprehensive directory of programs throughout the state. Many existing ECHO™ hubs and their respective programs can be found on the PEN-NC network map below.
4. Coordinated Resources and Supports
One of PEN-NC’s primary goals is to identify opportunities for new ECHO™ programs, given identified gaps. PEN-NC also aims to provide technical assistance and support for newly established hubs, ensuring that every hub is sufficiently prepared to meet the needs of ECHO™ programs. Additionally, PEN-NC will use the Project ECHO™ landscape to coordinate learnings between ECHO™ programs, further improving accessibility to emerging best practices.
Note: the network map below identifies the health care topics predominantly addressed by ECHO™ programs in North Carolina.
5. Research & Evaluation
Through the Project ECHO™ landscape, PEN-NC aims to demonstrate the significant impact of Project ECHO™ programs on North Carolina’s population health by showcasing their contributions to addressing statewide health priorities. More specifically, PEN-NC leverages population-level indicators and date to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of Project ECHO™ programs.
6. Sustainability
The Project ECHO™ landscape will allow PEN-NC to visualize the evolution of North Carolina ECHO™ programs over time. These insights can support us in identifying facilitators and barriers to Project ECHO™ implementation, the capacity of Project ECHO™ hubs to respond to emerging community health needs, and opportunities for replication and scalability.
In conducting the Project ECHO™ landscape, PEN-NC aims to become responsive to the needs of ECHO™ programs throughout the state, ensuring the ongoing, long-lasting success of Project ECHO™ in North Carolina.
Below, you will find a network map of the 24 previous and existing, identified Project ECHO™ hubs in North Carolina. Note: this map is in progress and will be updated as ECHO™ programs are launched and identified.
Don’t see your organization or Project ECHO program? We’d love to connect and learn about your work, and explore how we PEN-NC can best support you!