The University of New Mexico

Project ECHO

Project ECHO®

MSC07 4245
1001 Medical Arts Ave. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Help Desk: (505) 750-3246 (ECHO)
IT: (505) 750-4897
Fax: (505) 272-6906
echo@salud.unm.edu

Sanjeev Arora

Sanjeev Arora,
MD, Director

Mission

The mission of Project ECHO® is to develop the capacity to safely and effectively treat chronic, common, and complex diseases in rural and underserved areas, and to monitor outcomes of this treatment.

Project ECHO® is funded in part by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and has received support from the New Mexico Legislature, the University of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Department of Public Health.

Project ECHO™: Frequently asked questions

What does ‘ECHO’ stand for? 

Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes. We offer no-cost specialty care to patients in their own communities, through community resources.

How do patients make an appointment at ECHO? 

Project ECHO™ does not see patients. Our Tele-ECHO clinics connect primary care partners (PCP) to specialists who help co-manage rural and underserved patients with common chronic conditions. You may wish to present a case to a specialist or simply join others in the spirit of learning, similar to grand rounds. Clinician partners include physicians, mid-levels, clinic nurses, medical assistants, community health workers.

How does a clinician connect?

Check the calendar and clinic information on the homepage for toll free numbers or IP addresses of individual clinics.

What benefits do clinicians experience?

  • Evidence-based, best practice guidance from specialists
  • Case-based "learning-loop"
  • Didactic presentations from faculty
  • No cost CME, CEU, CE for participation
  • Opportunity for "One-on-One Training" with specialists at UNM HSC
  • Live Q & A
  • Opportunity to translate new knowledge into practice to improve outcomes for chronic conditions common to primary providers

Are there benefits to the community?

  • Improved specialty care access to rural and underserved populations
  • Allows patients to be treated locally by their PCP who learns to treat common chronic diseases
  • Reduction of carbon emissions as a result of reduced travel time to specialist

Are there any requirements to join a Tele-ECHO Clinic?

  • Annual HIPAA training (from your institution)
  • Access to and working knowledge of the following:
    1. E-Mail
    2. Reliable phone/land line OR
    3. Web Access with a Minimum Bandwidth of greater than 300 KB
    4. HIPAA Compliant Fax

Are there other considerations to joining a Tele-ECHO clinic?

Yes, there are excellent opportunities to participate in research, surveys and opinion polls.

Is this how you monitor outcomes?

Yes. Outcomes research is optional and extremely valuable in order to demonstrate the success of our programs.

What costs are involved just joining a clinic? 

Participation is free.

Then, who supports your work?

Project ECHO™ is supported by grants from the AHRQ, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, MRISP, Reynolds Foundation and the State of NM.