Johns Hopkins SCD ECHO

Johns Hopkins Sickle Cell Disease ECHO

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) is a guided practice model designed to provide best-practice specialty care and reduce health disparities by connecting providers with specialists through ongoing, interactive, telementoring sessions. Launched in 2015, The Johns Hopkins Sickle Cell TeleECHO Clinic provides access to providers who have limited access to and/or knowledge about managing patients with the sickle cell disease. ECHO utilizes interactive video conference technology, linking the expert panel to any provider looking to gain knowledge in sickle cell disease or would like consultation on the guidelines for best care for their sickle cell patients. ECHO also improves access to specialty care for rural and underserved population. The ECHO panel consists of a pediatric and adult hematologist expert, primary care and coordination expert, pain and psychiatric expert and community health worker expert. Together, the expert panel provide recommendations on de-identified cases presented by providers. In a typical Johns Hopkins Sickle Cell ECHO, we discuss two cases presented by the participants. In between the cases, a brief didactic provides further details on various aspects of sickle cell disease. Didactic topics may include renal complications, pain and addiction management, neurological complications, iron overload, and ED management. Some benefits of participating in ECHO include getting consultations on complex sickle cell disease related cases from the multi-disciplinary panel of experts and collaborating and networking with other providers in the community. Community providers learn from the expert panel, community providers learn from each other, and expert panel learn from community providers as best practices emerges. Additionally, providers receive support and develop the skills they need to treat sickle cell disease. As a result, they can provide comprehensive, best-practice care to patients with complex health conditions, right where they live.

JH Project ECHO