SUN-517 - Project ECHO and Expansion into on-Demand Platform

Background and

Aims: ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a well-established tele-education mentorship program, has traditionally been delivered live. To meet a demand for expanded and flexible access to content, an on-demand option was also offered. We aim to evaluate how participants perceive benefits when accessing ECHO through an on-demand platform.

Methods: During two cycles of ECHO sessions (2022–2024), provided both live and on-demand, 102 participants completed a pre-survey, and 42 completed both pre- and post-surveys. Ten on-demand participants completed both surveys. The ECHO model used short lectures and case-based learning via videoconferencing, giving participants access to tele-mentoring from an endocrinologist, a diabetes educator, and rotating specialists such as experts in mental health and cardiology. Pre- and post-course surveys measured self-efficacy (13 questions), confidence in management (6 questions), and prescribing practices (15 questions).

Results: Among those reporting increased comfort with injectable diabetes medications (n=9), 77.7% felt more confident using multidose insulin, 44.4% with basal insulin, and 66.6% with GLP-1 RA. For confidence and ability (n=10), 50% felt that their ability to provide nutritional counseling and quality diabetes care improved. Sixty percent reported feeling capable of discussing complications and serving as a diabetes resource. Similarly, 60% indicated improved confidence in managing type 2 diabetes and using guidelines. Ninety percent felt better prepared to support obesity management.

Conclusion: Although ECHO modules are widely used for many chronic diseases, this project is the first to assess on-demand educational content. The results for this cardiovascular and diabetes ECHO are limited by the low response rate. However, the overall participant perception of ECHO was positive. Given the broad reach of the ECHO model and limited provider time, further research is needed to consider expanded access using both live and on-demand formats.

*Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO must not be released to the press or the public until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.*