Telementoring Intervention for Diagnostic Imaging Clinicians

Overseen By Eduardo Bruera

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Leadership role, Previous ECHO participation

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

36 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how well the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) telementoring intervention works in transforming professional engagement, practice efficiency, and community building through team meetings in diagnostic imaging clinicians. This study may help researchers learn more about the potential benefits of a model for team meetings aimed at bringing physicians together from multiple practice locations when few opportunities exist for meaningful, collegial interactions. It may also help diagnostic imaging clinicians engage more effectively with colleagues at distant sites and become more engaged with their work.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Telementoring Intervention (ECHO) for diagnostic imaging clinicians?

Research shows that the ECHO telementoring model has been effective in improving healthcare providers' knowledge and confidence in managing various conditions, such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and diabetes. This suggests that similar benefits could be expected for diagnostic imaging clinicians using the ECHO model. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is telementoring generally safe for participants?

Telementoring, including programs like Project ECHO, is generally considered safe, with studies emphasizing the importance of having safety plans and procedures in place. In telemental healthcare, safety protocols have been effectively used to address any concerns, ensuring participant safety. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the Telementoring Intervention (ECHO) treatment different from other treatments for diagnostic imaging clinicians?

The Telementoring Intervention (ECHO) is unique because it uses real-time video conferencing to provide expert guidance to clinicians in remote locations, helping them perform procedures they are less familiar with. This approach allows for the distribution of specialized knowledge and skills without the need for expensive equipment or high bandwidth, making it accessible even in underdeveloped areas. ^{1 10 11 12 13}

Research Team

Eduardo Bruera

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for diagnostic imaging clinicians at MD Anderson without leadership roles and who haven't been in an ECHO clinic before. It's focused on those looking to improve engagement, efficiency, and community through team meetings.

Inclusion Criteria

Faculty must be diagnostic imaging clinicians with a primary appointment in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at MD Anderson

Exclusion Criteria

Faculty that have an official leadership role (Division Head or Department Chair)

Faculty that have previously participated in any previous live ECHO clinic or ECHO activity

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

ECHO Telementoring Sessions

Participants attend ECHO telementoring sessions over 1 hour weekly

13 weeks

13 virtual sessions

Wait-list

Participants are placed on a wait-list before attending sessions

13 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in burnout and health status

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Telementoring Intervention (ECHO)

Trial Overview The study tests the ECHO telementoring intervention's effectiveness in enhancing professional interaction, work efficiency, and community among physicians across different locations using team meetings.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm B (wait-list, ECHO telementoring) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants are placed on a wait-list for 13 weeks and then attend ECHO telementoring sessions over 1 hour weekly for 13 weeks.

Group II: Arm A (ECHO telementoring) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants attend ECHO telementoring sessions over 1 hour weekly for 13 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

The Project ECHO model has effectively expanded access to specialized cancer care over the past 10 years, with a review of 25 studies showing widespread participation and improved learning among healthcare providers.

Nearly half of the studies indicated that ECHO programs led to changes in provider practices, particularly in areas like HCV vaccination and palliative care, suggesting the model's potential to enhance clinical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Project ECHO for Cancer Care: a Scoping Review of Provider Outcome Evaluations. Arora, S., Brakey, HR., Jones, JL., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating quality improvement into the ECHO model to improve care for children and youth with epilepsy. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Telementoring in Improving Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Competence in Managing Chronic Pain: A Mixed Methods Study. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Project ECHO: A Telementoring Network Model for Continuing Professional Development. [2019]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Project ECHO for Cancer Care: a Scoping Review of Provider Outcome Evaluations. [2023]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multisite Quality Improvement Program Within the Project ECHO Diabetes Remote Network. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of telemental healthcare delivered to clinically unsupervised settings: a systematic review. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home-based telemental healthcare safety planning: what you need to know. [2012]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Commercial videoconferencing for use in telementoring laparoscopic surgery. [2017]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The recruitment and acceptability of a project ECHO® eating disorders clinic: a pilot study of telementoring for primary medical and behavioral health care practitioners. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of mobile low-bandwith telemedical techniques for extreme telemedicine applications. [2019]

11. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The evolution of surgical telementoring: current applications and future directions. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telementoring: a multi-institutional experience with the introduction of a novel surgical approach for adrenalectomy. [2013]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Surgical telementoring in knowledge translation--clinical outcomes and educational benefits: a comprehensive review. [2013]