What is Project ECHO Diabetes?
Project ECHO Diabetes uses the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) ModelTM to empower primary care providers (PCPs) managing adult and pediatric patients living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) or insulin-dependent Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) who lack access to routine specialty care in underserved communities. This outreach model addresses the needs of vulnerable populations by equipping community PCPs with the knowledge to deliver high-quality diabetes care and the opportunity to receive real-time specialty support in making complex diabetes-related medical decisions. Project ECHO Diabetes partners with PCPs and Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) to evaluate the impact and outcomes of the education and outreach model.
In partnering with Project ECHO Diabetes, the multidisciplinary ECHO Hub team provides evidence-based didactic presentations on important diabetes-related topics and real-time support to PCPs and clinical staff. ECHO Diabetes also assigns a local Diabetes Support Coach to work with participating providers and their T1D and insulin-dependent T2D patients. Diabetes Support Coaches are people who live with T1D and serve as peer mentors. They have been trained by Project ECHO Diabetes to understand and address barriers preventing people from receiving specialized diabetes care and improve care access for patients living with diabetes.
How Does Project ECHO Diabetes Work?
Primary care providers delivering care to patients with T1D and insulin-dependent T2D in targeted catchment settings will receive:
- Hub-to-provider education through tele-education and virtual trainings
- Real-time provider assistance with challenging medical decision-making issues and healthcare navigation through the support of a multidisciplinary team of diabetes professionals
- A Diabetes Support Coach assigned to partnering clinics who provides on-site support and helps bridge providers to hubs and patients to providers
- Opportunities to enroll their patients in research projects and initiatives at the hubs
How Can I get Involved?
If you are a primary care provider and would like to participate in the program, contact Dr. Michael Haller at mjhaller@ufl.edu or Dr. Ashby Walker at afwalker@ufl.edu.
Meet the ECHO Diabetes Hub Team
ECHO Diabetes: Project Director
Ashby Walker, PhD
Director for Health Equity Initiatives, UF Diabetes Institute, Assistant Professor
ECHO Diabetes: Medical Director
Michael Haller, MD
Professor and Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology
ECHO Diabetes: Clinic Manager
Eleni Sheehan, APRN, CDCES
Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Endocrinology
ECHO Diabetes: Pediatric Endocrinologist
Angelina Bernier, MD
Assistant Professor and Fellowship Director, Pediatric Endocrinology
ECHO Diabetes: Clinical Health Psychologist
Sarah Westen, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Health Psychology
ECHO Diabetes: Adult Endocrinologist
William T. Donahoo, MD, FTOS
Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
ECHO Diabetes: Clinical Research Coordinator II
Claudia Anez-Zabala, BS
ECHO Diabetes: Research Coordinator and Gainesville Diabetes Support Coach
Xanadu Roque, BS
ECHO Diabetes at Work
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