ECHO’s ECHO: Overcoming modern healthcare operational challenges with provider-to-provider video communication

Abstract

The Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) project uses teleconferencing to improve access to care for patients who are unable to access academic medical centers. The model can also be used to address key operational issues facing academic medical centers today. Furthermore, the current healthcare landscape is well primed to accept this innovation. We propose application of this model to solve current challenges in healthcare, including: inpatient capacity, network development and access. Applied in these ways, this program has the potential to alleviate stress on hospital systems, ultimately improving patient care and the patient and provider experience.