ECHO is an interactive online medical education program, connecting health care providers with an interprofessional specialist team to advance learning and enhance clinical skills.
The ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model™ creates knowledge-sharing networks through multipoint video conferencing. These virtual communities of practice are led by interdisciplinary, specialist ‘hubs,’ that join with participants (spokes) to share knowledge and best practices. ECHO was established in Canada in Ontario in 2015 (www.echoontario.ca).
A training Superhub was established in Toronto, Ontario at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and University Health Network in 2017. Since then, ECHOs have been established across many provinces and territories across Canada, in addition to emerging ECHOs that are national in scope. This program is funded by Health Canada to promote and disseminate pain ECHOs across Canada.
ECHO Chronic Pain and Opioid Stewardship Canada
Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO)
A supportive, virtual learning community for primary care providers (PCPs) to enhance their skills and confidence by sharing of best practices and practical advice for real patient cases.
Our Vision
A virtual community advancing the best health care in Canada.
Our Mission
To build capacity through a virtual community of practice for health care providers in Canada that will increase access to specialist healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and create health equity.
How ECHO Works
ECHO links an expert interprofessional “hub” team with primary care providers via weekly videoconferencing sessions.
How ECHO can Benefit You
| Gain best practice skills |
| Join a community of practice |
| Receive real-time recommendations for patient cases presented |
| No cost to participate |
| Access to a specialist interprofessional (hub) team |
| Earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits |
| Enhanced confidence and skills to deliver best practice care to patients |
| Convenient, online learning (via zoom) |
Relevant research Articles
Articles showing the outcomes of the ECHO model
 | Babineau, J., et al. (2018). “The Embedded Librarian in a Telehealth Continuing Medical Education Program.” J Hosp Librarianship 18(1): 1-14. |  | |
| Carlin, L., et al. (2018). “Project ECHO Telementoring Intervention for Managing Chronic Pain in Primary Care: Insights from a Qualitative Study.” Pain Med 19(6): 1140-1146. | | |
| Diaz, S., et al. (2020) “Changes in Opioid Prescribing Behaviors among Family Physicians Who Participated in a Weekly Tele-Mentoring Program.” J Clin Med 9(1): 14 | | |
| Dubin, R. E., et al. (2015) “ECHO Ontario Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship: Providing Access and Building Capacity for Primary Care Providers in Underserviced, Rural, and Remote Communities.” Stud Health Technol Inform 209: 15-22. | | |
| Furlan, A. D., et al. (2019) “Project ECHO: Building capacity to manage complex conditions in rural, remote and underserved areas.” Can J Rural Med 24(4): 115-120. | | |
| Hassan, S., et al. (2020) “Promoting an interprofessional approach to chronic pain management in primary care using Project ECHO.” J Interprof Care: 1-4. | | |
| Zhao, J., et al. (2020) “Health care providers’ experiences and perceptions participating in a chronic pain telementoring education program: A qualitative study.” Can J Pain 4(1): 111-121 | |
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