Engaging Community Health Workers to Provide Care for Children and Youth with Epilepsy: An ECHO Program Evaluation

Full Description: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by unprovoked seizures. It is the most common pediatric neurological condition in the US with approximately 470,000 children aged 0-18 years affected. Unfortunately, many of these patients also have unmet health and social needs. Community Health Workers (CHWs) help to address unmet patient needs. This poster presentation will discuss the process and outcome evaluation of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ first Project ECHO® conducted specifically for CHWs. Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based telehealth and tele-mentoring program that brings together communities of learners to strengthen healthcare professionals’ knowledge and self-efficacy regarding identification, treatment, and management of various diseases and health conditions. Using widely available video conferencing technology and a framework that incorporates didactic presentations, clinical management tools, and case‐based learning, ECHO promotes an “all teach, all learn” philosophy among participating healthcare professionals and multidisciplinary subject matter experts. Developed and implemented by the AAP National Coordinating Center for Epilepsy in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation of America, this ECHO program reached CHWs across the country. From June to September 2021, the program convened for 8 virtual one-hour sessions, with an average of 20 CHWs attending each session. Curriculum topics included understanding and treating epilepsy, health disparities impacting children and youth with epilepsy, mental health considerations, and lifestyle management, among others. The evaluation consisted of three components. First, post-session satisfaction surveys were sent to attendees after each session. Second, at the conclusion of the program, participants were sent a retrospective survey to determine learner self-reported changes in epilepsy knowledge and confidence. Finally, attendees were invited to participate in a post-program focus group. Preliminary process evaluation results indicate that most participants rated all aspects of the sessions as “very good” or “excellent” (80%+). While both knowledge and confidence scores did improve post-program, only confidence scores showed statistically significant improvement. Qualitative evaluation data is being analyzed. Additional results and lessons learned from the CHW ECHO will be shared during this session. The ECHO program is a valuable way to increase education, awareness, and management of epilepsy among CHWs. The knowledge and confidence gained by program participants will help to support pediatric patients living with epilepsy who may have unmet health and social needs.

Abbreviated Description: Epilepsy is the most common pediatric neurological condition in the US with 470,000 children aged 0-18 years affected. Community Health Workers (CHWs) help to address the unmet health and social needs experienced by these patients. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Epilepsy Foundation of America partnered to implement a CHW ECHO program, a virtual, evidence-based telehealth and tele-mentoring program, for these critical allied health professionals. Curriculum topics included understanding and treating epilepsy, health disparities impacting pediatric epilepsy patients, mental health considerations, and lifestyle management, among others. A mixed-method process and outcome evaluation was conducted, and lessons learned from the CHW ECHO program will be shared during this session.