US-based primary care system Community Health Center (CHC) is expanding its telehealth program to health centers in Delaware under an extension for community healthcare outcomes (ECHO) project.
Project ECHO uses video-conferencing and case-based learning to increase access to specialty care for underserved patients.
Under the project, specialists and primary care providers will attend a weekly video conference session during which they will discuss cases and explore treatment options for patients with complex illnesses like Hepatitis C.
The project will also help primary care teams in expertly handling cases that would otherwise be referred to specialists.
CHC's weekly Project ECHO pain management program is also attended by primary care providers from Westside Family Healthcare, a network of community health centers in Delaware.
The main aim of the project is to offer effective pain management care for underserved patients as well as provide expert support to primary care providers who do not routinely receive training in pain management during training.
Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) medical director Gerard Galluci said the Project ECHO is aimed at increasing the competency of Delaware health providers to manage complex pain conditions.
"Pain management is an important area of focus for the health care community and the project also helps build our capacity to utilize innovative technology for new treatment options," Galluci added.
