The continuing evolution of a cancer prevention, screening, and survivorship ECHO: A second year of implementation.

INTRODUCTION: An estimated 39,010 Indiana residents were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. To address the cancer burden, Project ECHO (Extension Community Healthcare Outcomes) was launched in 2019 in Indiana to build specialty healthcare capacity among non-specialists. Due to positive outcomes from the pilot year, the Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Survivorship ECHO was implemented for a second year. The purpose of this study was to measure the participation and regional impact of this ECHO. METHODS: ECHO sessions occurred twice monthly from October 2020 to October 2021. Changes were implemented in response to feedback from the pilot year, including making the curriculum more practical for learners and adding accreditation opportunities. Participant information and feedback was extracted from electronic surveys for review. RESULTS: There were 24 ECHO sessions with 213 unique participants, increased from 140 unique participants in the pilot year. An average of 23.5 individuals attended each session, increased from 15.5 individuals per session. Enrolled participants served in a diverse set of roles and represented 247 zip codes, 30 Indiana counties, and 32 states across the United States, each of which increased from the pilot year. DISCUSSION: In this second year, this ECHO expanded to reach more participants with increased attendance and a more diverse distribution of roles within healthcare, which may be attributed to feedback-driven curriculum design. Cancer care is multi-disciplinary, with health educators, nurses, and administrators, each acting within the cancer care continuum. As a result, this ECHO has been adapted to serve an increasingly broad distribution of professionals. CONCLUSION: The second year of the Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Survivorship ECHO displayed increased overall enrollment and participation, greater diversity among participant roles, and a wider reach across Indiana and the United States.

Global Health Partnerships During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives and Insights from International Partners.

Global health partnerships (GHPs) have encountered many challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. New perspectives and insights are needed to guide GHPs when navigating current and future collaborations. This study aimed to understand perspectives and insights of international partners regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their GHPs with institutions in the United States. We performed a cross-sectional qualitative study conducted through virtual semi-structured interviews performed between June 12, 2020 and July 22, 2020. We queried academic institutions based in the United States to refer individuals from their corresponding international GHP organizations. We invited these individuals to participate in virtual interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed. We analyzed data qualitatively to identify themes. Eighty-four United States partners provided e-mail addresses for international partners. Ten individuals from these GHPs completed the interview. Participants reported overall positive experiences with their United States-based partners during the pandemic. The following themes emerged: imbalanced decision-making; worry about partnership continuity; opportunity to optimize communication within partnerships; interest in incorporating technology to facilitate engagement; and a desire for increased bilateral exchanges. Several challenges appeared to exist before COVID-19 and were highlighted by the pandemic. Most respondents were optimistic regarding the future of their GHPs. However, concerns were expressed regarding the implications of fewer in-person international experiences with United States trainees and the desire for stronger communication. Although our results do not represent the perspectives and insights of all GHPs, they provide considerations for the future. We urge institutions in the United States to re-examine and strive for equitable relationships with their international partners.