OHSU ECHO enhances the ability of primary care physicians to treat chronic and complex illnesses in their hometown clinic and increases patient access to care. It is modeled after the University of New Mexico’s Project ECHO ® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).

OHSU ECHO connects primary care providers with OHSU specialists for live, weekly video teleconferences. These one-hour virtual clinics give primary care physicians real-time reviews of complex cases. OHSU specialists provide written treatment recommendations. Each session also includes a 15- to 20-minute didactic presentation. CME is provided.

Primary care physicians are expected to present cases up to six times a year and share patient outcome data.

OHSU provides ongoing IT hardware and software support.

OHSU’s first Project ECHO ® initiative, a Psychiatric Medication Management pilot program, was launched in September 2014 in conjunction with and support from Health Share. This pilot is focused on primary care providers in counties surrounding the Portland metropolitan area. If successful, OHSU hopes to expand Project ECHO ® to include other clinical disciplines throughout the region.