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Building Provincial Mental Health Capacity in Primary Care: An Evaluation of a Project ECHO Mental Health Program.

Authors :
Sockalingam S
Arena A
Serhal E
Mohri L
Alloo J
Crawford A
Source :
Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry [Acad Psychiatry] 2018 Aug; Vol. 42 (4), pp. 451-457. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Jun 07.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Objective: Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO©) addresses urban-rural disparities in access to specialist care by building primary care provider (PCP) capacity through tele-education. Evidence supporting the use of this model for mental health care is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated a mental health and addictions-focused ECHO program. Primary outcome measures were PCP knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. Secondary objectives included: satisfaction, engagement, and sense of professional isolation. PCP knowledge and self-efficacy were hypothesized to improve with participation.<br />Methods: Using Moore's evaluation framework, we evaluated the ECHO program on participant engagement, satisfaction, learning, and competence. A pre-post design and weekly questionnaires measured primary and secondary outcomes, respectively.<br />Results: Knowledge test performance and self-efficacy ratings improved post-ECHO (knowledge change was significant, p < 0.001, d = 1.13; self-efficacy approached significance; p = 0.056, d = 0.57). Attrition rate was low (7.7%) and satisfaction ratings were high across all domains, with spokes reporting reduced feelings of isolation.<br />Discussion: This is the first study to report objective mental health outcomes related to Project ECHO. The results indicate high-participant retention is achievable, and provide preliminary evidence for increased knowledge and self-efficacy. These findings suggest this intervention may improve mental health management in primary care.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1545-7230
Volume :
42
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28593537
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-017-0735-z