Model

Project ILBS - ECHO Model(Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative model of health care education and delivery was started in 2010, addressing the challenges of providing specialist level care in non-metro settings. Started at the ILBS, Project ILBS-ECHO is developing capacity for safe and effective treatment of chronic, common, and complex liver diseases in rural and underserved areas while monitoring outcomes to ensure quality of care. Using state-of-the-art tele-health technology and clinical management tools ILBS-ECHO trains and supports physicians in the community to develop knowledge and self-efficacy on a variety of liver diseases not usually considered within their scope of practice. As a result, these physicians can deliver best-practice care for complex health conditions in community-based sites where this specialty care was previously unavailable.

Connecting One To Many

Project ILBS-ECHO is not a traditional tele-health model that facilitates a one-to-one connection between a doctor and a patient using technology. Rather, Project ILBS-ECHO builds altogether new and permanent capacities by developing specialist expertise where it previously did not exist. It is not one to one, but one to many. In addition to improving access to specialty care in remote locations, Project ILBS-ECHO connects isolated physicians with colleagues, including specialists at academic medical centres. It delivers continuing education and improves remote partner’s satisfaction and retention in areas where it is often hardest to keep them. What's more, participating physicians can earn continuing education credits at no cost, as well as certification in treating diseases such as hepatitis C. They also gain access to specialty consultation in a range of areas relevant to their practice that they did not have before.