Year: 2024
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a virtual community initiative developed at the University of New Mexico, USA, to treat chronic, frequent, and complex diseases safely and effectively in rural or underserved, underprivileged areas or in places where the number of specialists available is not enough to meet patient demands. ECHO® Psoriasis Argentina, the first adaptation of the initiative in dermatological diseases, began in 2015 as a web-based clinical case distance medical education tool for dermatologists across different regions of the country to share the best medical practices for psoriasis. This was in response to the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals. Its main goals include bridging knowledge gaps between general dermatologists and specialists in psoriasis management, extending the best clinical practices to more patients, and reducing the need for referrals to more complex centres. Teleclinics are held every 3 weeks using Zoom® software. Over 350 dermatologists from all provinces of Argentina participate in this project. Each session involves presenting psoriasis cases to a panel of experts and attending dermatologists, followed by discussions and recommendations. Periodic academic updates on the topic are also conducted. Furthermore, ECHO® Psoriasis Argentina fosters a sense of community through a discussion group on WhatsApp® Messenger. Here, participants engage in lively discussions, raising issues and questions from their daily practice. Both the panel of experts and participating dermatologists contribute answers creating a collaborative environment. In commemorating the 130 teleclinics held, we wish to share our experience with ECHO® Psoriasis Argentina. Active participation and interest among attendees have led to the presentation of various studies at conferences, publications, and investigations into reasons dermatologists seek remote assistance. They evaluated modifications suggested by experts and barriers to implementing these suggestions. Studies also assessed the impact of participating in the WhatsApp® discussion group, including topics like immunosuppressant use during the COVID-19 pandemic, methotrexate use across different regions of Argentina, and exceptional patient situations such as pregnancy and paradoxical psoriasis. ECHO® Psoriasis Argentina is more than just a platform for sharing experiences and spreading knowledge, it is a transformative initiative that enhances healthcare professionals' skills and creates a network of professionals across the country. Its success has paved the way for the launch of ECHO® initiatives for hidradenitis suppurativa and atopic dermatitis in Argentina in 2019, further expanding its impact on the healthcare system.
Source: British Journal of Dermatology
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405230026