Author:
Whitehead Monica Renee,Ryan Paige,Young Melissa A.,Austin Jillian E.,Kramer Kathleen,Harris Emily,McClure Jessica M.
Abstract
Purpose
The prevalence of pediatric anxiety disorders is on the rise but youth have challenges in accessing specialty evidence-based mental health care. As a result, families turn to their pediatric primary care provider (PCP) for assessment and management of anxiety. To increase PCPs’ abilities to manage anxiety, the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (“Project ECHO”) was used. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Project ECHO on participating PCPs’ knowledge, self-efficacy and interventions surrounding the assessment and management of anxiety.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected pre- and post-course across five cohorts. Participants completed a clinical knowledge test, ratings of self-efficacy and self-reported frequencies of in-office interventions. Satisfaction was also measured.
Findings
Attendance remained strong, and participants rated high satisfaction. From pre- to post-course, participants demonstrated increased knowledge on almost all objective questions. Participants reported increased self-efficacy across all domains. Finally, participants endorsed increased use of several in-office interventions.
Practical implications
This study highlights the importance of Project ECHO as a continuing education model to enhance PCPs’ abilities and confidence in the assessment and management of anxiety. Future continuing education endeavors should consider Project ECHO as a means of increasing PCPs’ capacity to manage mental health conditions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that applied the Project ECHO model to pediatric anxiety as a mechanism of increasing knowledge, self-efficacy and in-office interventions with PCPs.
Reference53 articles.
1. Exposure therapy for anxiety: principles and practice,2019
2. ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Pediatrics (2020), “ACGME program requirements for graduate medical education in pediatrics”, available at: www.acgme.org/globalassets/pfassets/programrequirements/320_pediatrics_2020.pdf
3. Project ECHO: linking university specialists with rural and prison-based clinicians to improve care for people with chronic hepatitis C in New Mexico;Public Health Reports,2007
4. Project ECHO (project extension for community healthcare outcomes): a national and global model for continuing professional development;Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions,2016
5. Enhancing patient outcomes: a quality improvement project to elevate clinicians’ use of evidenced-based practice through the development of a novel training series;Evidence-Based Practice in Child & Adolescent Mental Health,2024