Use of the Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) model for public health emergency response in Alaska

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a telehealth and virtual mentoring model. It is a scalable platform to create peer communities where professionals can gain knowledge, skills, and relevant information to their work and clinical practice. Key informant interviews of Alaska public health leaders, clinical providers, ECHO staff, and local government representatives were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and utility of the Project ECHO for COVID-19 response. Project ECHO session attendance and evaluation data were also reviewed. A combined total of 41,255 attendees participated in a COVID-19 response ECHO July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022. Eight key informant interviews were conducted with individuals involved in leading or coordinating COVID-19 response efforts. Key informants identified four themes impacting the effectiveness of the Project ECHO model in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Engagement, (2) Amplification, (3) Adaptability, and (4) Trust. In a rapidly changing pandemic, the ECHO model provided adaptive and effective virtual spaces where Alaskan providers, communities, elected officials, educators, and other stakeholders were able to receive tailored and up-to-date information on mitigation, treatment, and other concerns exacerbated by COVID-19.