The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND), in partnership with the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences is pleased to announce their joint article has won the 2020 Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (JCEN) Innovation Award. The article, “ECHO: A Model for Professional Development in Nursing Through Learning Networks,” was a collaboration between WIND and the School of Nursing, including WIND faculty, Canyon Hardesty, MS and Eric J. Moody, PhD; and College of Nursing faculty, Mary E. Burman, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP; Nancy McGee, DNP, RN, PMHNP; J’Laine Proctor, DNP, RN, FNP, PMHNP; Ann Marie Hart, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP.
Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based professional development approach that can help nurses stay current and apply new knowledge to their practice. The journal article describes the ECHO model for professional development and capacity building through learning networks and includes evidence supporting its use and details on the infrastructure needed to implement an ECHO network. In addition, the article highlights the recent launches of two nursing ECHO learning networks—one for interdisciplinary teams supporting school nurses and the other for psychiatric nurse practitioners advancing the integration of mental health and primary care.
Notes Canyon Hardesty, "Health research is published at a breathtaking pace and quantity; however, even when research is translated into best practices and/or clinical guidelines, it often takes years to be adopted into practice." The ECHO model allows for timely adoption of best practices or new clinical guidelines.
When asked about future applications of this knowledge, Mary Burman added, “I would hope that nursing adopts ECHO as a way to bring professional development to nurses across the country in a variety of settings, especially in rural areas.”
The full article can be found in “The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing” – Vol. 52, No. 4, 2021: pages 198-204. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20210315-09
