CTSA News

For many Pennsylvanians in rural areas, seeing a medical specialist means hours of travel and long wait times. Project ECHO at Penn State College of Medicine is continuing to bridge this gap by launching seven new virtual learning series this fall, connecting local doctors and community members directly with top health experts.

The Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model began in 2003 at the University of New Mexico to treat rural patients who could not travel to a clinic. Using video technology, specialists trained local primary care doctors to provide specialized care themselves. Today, this proven "All Teach, All Learn" model is used worldwide to ensure a person’s zip code does not limit their access to high-quality care.

“Primary care providers in rural and high-need communities face unprecedented barriers when trying to connect their patients with specialized care,” said Jennifer Kraschnewski, director of Project ECHO and vice dean for research, clinical and translational science, at Penn State College of Medicine. “By building a supportive, virtual network through Project ECHO, we are not just sharing knowledge — we are actively uplifting healthcare in limited-access areas and empowering providers to treat complex conditions right in their own communities.”

The fall lineup features programs tailored for clinical professionals, community members and researchers.

Empowering local healthcare providers

Four series are designed to equip primary care providers (PCPs) and clinical staff with the tools to treat complex conditions in their own communities:

• Nese Project ECHO: Empowering Rural Primary Care Through Online Collaboration: Helps PCPs tackle trending topics and complex scenarios, from pediatric vaccine hesitancy and hip pain to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

• Enhancing Healthcare for the Adult Neurodiverse Community: Supports mental health providers and PCPs who serve adult neurodiverse patients. Topics include spotting signs of trauma, managing physical health concerns like sleep and GI issues, and building resilience.

• Measurement-Based Care ECHO Series: Offers practical strategies for managing complex mood disorders when standard depression treatments fall short.

• Oral Health in Primary Care: Leverages the national Smiles for Life curriculum to help medical teams integrate oral health into routine care, teaching 90-second oral exams and dental pain triage.

Supporting the community

Project ECHO at Penn State is also opening its virtual doors directly to the public with two programs aimed at providing expert advice and support:

• Building Competence in Supporting Autistic Adults with Profound Support Needs: Designed for caregivers and support professionals, offering creative ideas for managing intense behaviors and preventing caregiver burnout.

• Demystifying Menopause ECHO: Expert Insights for Midlife Health: Connects community members directly with women’s health experts to clear up online confusion, covering hormone therapy, non-hormonal solutions, and pelvic health.

Advancing community-engaged research

Penn State College of Medicine serves as the coordinating center for the NIH-funded Multi-Sectoral Preventive Interventions (MSPI) Research Network. As part of the coordinating center team, Project ECHO at Penn State is facilitating a closed series for this network. The MSPI Community Engagement ECHO will help national research sites build strong, sustainable partnerships, ensuring community voices are elevated in the research process.

Participation in Project ECHO is free, entirely virtual, and typically takes just one hour via Zoom. Clinical programs also offer free continuing education credits for professionals. To learn more about the fall programs, view schedules and register, visit the Project ECHO website.