Funds awarded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
A research team at Project ECHO, affiliated with The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, has secured a $10.8 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The grant aims to investigate methods to enhance the capabilities of primary care physicians in New Mexico in managing complex cases of diabetes. The state has high rates of both diagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, and with limited access to specialists, primary care providers often bear the responsibility of managing these patients. The study will assess the effectiveness of the ECHO Model, a telehealth-based mentoring program, in improving patient outcomes. Specifically, the research will examine whether participation in ECHO sessions enables healthcare providers to better control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes and multiple chronic conditions. The study will involve collaboration with Presbyterian Medical Services, New Mexico’s largest network of primary care clinics. The goal is to enroll providers from selected clinics in the ECHO program for 18 months, comparing outcomes with those from clinics continuing standard care. The study, titled “ECHO for Diabetes and Multiple Chronic Conditions,” was chosen by PCORI for its potential to provide insights into integrating telehealth into primary care, especially for populations at risk of health disparities. Founded in 2003, Project ECHO aims to address healthcare disparities by offering virtual mentoring to practitioners in underserved areas.