Abstract

An Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) evidence-based global model provided the framework for a nurse-led professional education series focused on priority topics supporting equitable primary care. A Nursing Recruitment and Education to Expand Access to Culturally-Aligned Healthcare (Nursing REEACH) ECHO® was a goal of a Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services grant. The grant provided resources to increase nursing workforce and capabilities in rural and underserved communities through deployments of graduate nurses in mobile clinics. A grant sub-goal was to expand access to evidence-based services in the community through Project ECHO® telementoring. Presenters provide an overview of the planning, marketing, implementation of the Nursing REEACH ECHO and details of the 2023-2024 series evaluation.

The evidence-based ECHO® global model (600+ peer-reviewed studies) has been utilized by healthcare professionals to expand capabilities and reduce health disparities in under-served and remote areas, simultaneously addressing workforce shortages. Nursing education and training must support nurses' existing and expanded roles necessary to develop and sustain integrated equitable healthcare. A nursing organization can utilize the ECHO® framework to create a center of excellence, supporting nurses, fostering dissemination of knowledge, and contributing to nurses' confidence in providing and collaborating within diverse healthcare networks within national and global communities.

This first of three Nursing REEACH ECHO® series had six sessions on priority healthcare goal-driven topics. The 2023-2024 Nursing REEACH ECHO® sessions were virtual, no cost, and provided continuing education opportunities (1.8 hours per 90-minutes sessions). Each session provided a telementoring environment to engage participants in a loop of learning of didactic and case-based learning with subject matter experts and peer support.

Evaluation of the series indicates 79 registrants represented 23 states. Attendance at any session = 83, an average of 14 participants per session. Post-session evaluations data will be presented including quantitative on the following items: relevance to work, balance of didactic and interactivity, knowledge/skill before and after session, pace, organization, connection and support, and qualitative descriptions of the most helpful, plan for future use, and improvements.

Notes

Reference list included in attached slide deck.

Description

A Nursing Recruitment and Education to Expand Access to Culturally-Aligned Healthcare (Nursing REEACH) Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) is an evidence-based telementoring global model used to increase nursing workforce and capabilities in rural and underserved communities. Presenters provide an overview of the planning, marketing, implementation of the Nursing REEACH ECHO® and details of the 2023-2024 initial series evaluation including quantitative and qualitative data.

Author Details

Bettina H. Riley, PhD, RN, FAAS; Emily S. Bentley, DNP, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC; Misty Guy, DNP, CRNP, FNP, AGACNP; Pam Johnson, DNP, CRNP, FNP; Shannon Powell-Lewis, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP; Joyce Pittman, PhD, RN, SNP-BC, FNP-BC, CWOCN, FAAN; Jo Ann Otts, DNP, RN, NEA-BC; Katherine Bydalek, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC; Caleb Howard, MS, BS

Note: The names, order, and number of authors did not agree when entries in the Sigma event system were compared with the names listed on the title slide. Author names may not be in the correct order due to this discrepancy.

Sigma Membership

Zeta Gamma

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Other

Keywords:

Virtual Learning, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Mentoring and Coaching, Telementoring, Primary Care

Conference Name

48th Biennial Convention

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Conference Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2025-12-03

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Evaluation of a Nurse-Led ECHO® Education Series: Telementoring Priority Equitable Primary Care

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

An Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) evidence-based global model provided the framework for a nurse-led professional education series focused on priority topics supporting equitable primary care. A Nursing Recruitment and Education to Expand Access to Culturally-Aligned Healthcare (Nursing REEACH) ECHO® was a goal of a Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services grant. The grant provided resources to increase nursing workforce and capabilities in rural and underserved communities through deployments of graduate nurses in mobile clinics. A grant sub-goal was to expand access to evidence-based services in the community through Project ECHO® telementoring. Presenters provide an overview of the planning, marketing, implementation of the Nursing REEACH ECHO and details of the 2023-2024 series evaluation.

The evidence-based ECHO® global model (600+ peer-reviewed studies) has been utilized by healthcare professionals to expand capabilities and reduce health disparities in under-served and remote areas, simultaneously addressing workforce shortages. Nursing education and training must support nurses' existing and expanded roles necessary to develop and sustain integrated equitable healthcare. A nursing organization can utilize the ECHO® framework to create a center of excellence, supporting nurses, fostering dissemination of knowledge, and contributing to nurses' confidence in providing and collaborating within diverse healthcare networks within national and global communities.

This first of three Nursing REEACH ECHO® series had six sessions on priority healthcare goal-driven topics. The 2023-2024 Nursing REEACH ECHO® sessions were virtual, no cost, and provided continuing education opportunities (1.8 hours per 90-minutes sessions). Each session provided a telementoring environment to engage participants in a loop of learning of didactic and case-based learning with subject matter experts and peer support.

Evaluation of the series indicates 79 registrants represented 23 states. Attendance at any session = 83, an average of 14 participants per session. Post-session evaluations data will be presented including quantitative on the following items: relevance to work, balance of didactic and interactivity, knowledge/skill before and after session, pace, organization, connection and support, and qualitative descriptions of the most helpful, plan for future use, and improvements.