Expanding a Regional Sickle Cell Disease Project ECHO® to Rapidly Disseminate COVID-19 Education

Abstract

Purpose: Healthcare providers faced numerous knowledge gaps and challenges with adapting practice behaviors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, an established virtual sickle cell disease (SCD) telementoring program rapidly expanded from monthly evidence-based didactic sessions focused on medical and psychosocial complications of sickle cell disease, to additional supplemental COVID-19 sessions with emerging pandemic topics and forums for shared experiences to address this timely educational need among multidisciplinary healthcare providers. Methods: In March 2020, the COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Disease Project ECHO® telementoring series was launched with a rapidly evolving curriculum of contemporary topics and case presentations. Topics included COVID-19 specific management for children and adults with sickle cell disease and strategies to adapt care and communication during the pandemic. Participants completed evaluations after each session. Results: From March 2020 to February 2022, there were 20 COVID-19 and SCD Project ECHO® sessions held with an average of 43 participants per session, which is over a 170% increase from the average SCD ECHO monthly attendance pre-pandemic. Participants represented 21 states and 3 countries. A majority of participants (91%) self-reported significantly improved knowledge of COVID-19. Conclusion: Project ECHO® is a successful educational strategy to diffuse knowledge using a virtual platform during a public health emergency, by facilitating shared learning among a community of practice that specializes in the management of sickle cell disease.