What is ECHO?
ECHO stands for Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes.

ECHO connects Health care providers with an inter-professional specialist team through weekly videoconferencing sessions. The sessions include didactic lectures and interactive discussion of de-identified patient cases. Health Care Providers who attend ECHO gain enhanced skills and confidence in managing complex chronic conditions safely and effectively.

When are the ECHO sessions?
  • ECHO Liver – Mondays from 12:00-1:30pm
  • ECHO Chronic Pain/Opioid Stewardship – Thursdays from 12:30-2:30pm
  • ECHO Rheumatology – Fridays from 12:00-1:30pm
Where are the sessions?
Sessions are online via videoconferencing not in person.
What is the cost to register for ECHO?
There is no registration cost for attending an ECHO session.
Who can attend ECHO?
Any health-care provider (HCP) in Ontario.
How do I get register?
Can my co-workers or students attend an ECHO session with me?
Yes, everyone is welcome.
Note: Only registered participants will receive CME/CPD credits. 
What are the IT Requirements and set up?

You will need:

  • A computer with a webcam, microphone and a stable internet connection OR
  • An iOS Android mobile device and phone connection for audio only
  • We use zoom.us. You do not need to create a log in or download any software to start viewing.

For your first session, please log in about 15 minutes earlier to ensure that everything is working. Our IT tech would be available to assist you to connect.

Contact us at info@echoontario.ca if you have any additional questions or require additional support. For example if you would like to do a test run prior to the session.

How do I connect to the weekly sessions?
You will receive an email the day before the session which contains:

  • The agenda
  • A link to connect to the session. The link changes every week.
  • Materials for the session (didactic presentation and case information).

The emails will be sent from Echo.Ontario@uhn.ca. Please ensure that this email is not blocked from your site.

What is the format of an ECHO session?
Each weekly session includes:

  • Announcements and roll-call.
    • The purpose of this is to officially collect attendance names for CME/CPD credits.
  • Didactic lecture presentation
    • Given by either a member of the inter-professional hub team or an expert guest speaker.
    • A list of the weekly topics can be found under curriculum.
  • 1-2 Patient cases presented by a participating health care provider.
    • The case presenter summarizes the patient case.
    • Participants are invited to ask the case presenter any clarifying questions.
    • Case recommendations are provided by the specialist team and session participants.
How do I participate in an ECHO session?
ECHO sessions are interactive.  Participants are encouraged to ask questions, participate in group discussions, and to present patient cases.
What is the ECHO Online Etiquette?
During the session:

  • Mute your microphone at all times except when speaking.
  • Keep your camera on and pointed at you or your team. Seeing each other helps to build the ECHO community.
  • Do not share your screen.
  • This is a safe learning environment. We encourage non-judgement of patients and other participants.
  • Feel free to eat your lunch!

NOTICE: In case of disruptive behaviour or non-collegial language during the weekly sessions, the participant will be contacted offline by a member of the hub team and will be coached on appropriate behavior and language.  Project ECHO® Ontario reserves the right to withdraw a participant at any time if the issue remains unresolved.

Why should I present a patient case?
Benefits to presenting a case include:

  • Receive support and specialist feedback for your patient cases.
  • Increased satisfaction with ECHO
  • A copy of all the recommendations discussed will be sent to you via email after the session
  • The purpose of patient cases is to collective learn and support each other.
Who do I contact to present a patient case?
To present a case:

Notes: Patient cases must not include any patient identifying information.  

Do I have to attend every week?
No, there are no attendance requirements. You can start anytime and can attend as many or as little sessions as you want. You are not limited to attending just one cycle.
We strongly recommended you attend as often as possible but we understand that you are busy.
How do I get my CME credits?
During the roll-call ECHO staff record your attendance each week.  At the end of each cycle, ECHO staff collates your attendance; you will receive a certificate with your total CME/CPD credits by email.  This way, you do not need to keep track – we do this for you.
Notes:
– We do not submit your credits to any college board.
– You can only receive credits if you are registered ECHO Participant.
– The program has been accredited for 1 MAINPRO-M1 credits for Family Physicians and 1 hours of Continuing Education for other health care professionals per hour (e.g. for a 2 hour session , you will receive 2 MAINPRO credits).
Who makes up the interprofessional expert “hub” teams?
The Hub team members are composed of professions involved in the treatment of the disease area, who provide different perspectives in caring for a patient.  
How do I access the weekly ECHO Surveys?
Links to the weekly survey can be accessed:

  • Via email (link sent after the session)
  • Under “forms and surveys” on this website.
Why do I have to complete the weekly ECHO Surveys?
Surveys are not mandatory.
We encourage you to complete the survey as we use this information to continuously improve the session and help us meet your needs. For example, we create our future didactic sessions based on the feedback in the survey. This is also a requirement for accreditation of the program.

  • All feedback is kept strictly confidential.