Telehealth Reduces Wait Time and Improves Care for Remote Area Children with Autism

Author: University of Missouri-Columbia
Published: 2017/06/02 - Updated: 2021/03/16
Topic: Telemedicine or eHealth - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The ECHO Autism program increases capacity for health care in underserved communities, and families can now get answers they need without traveling or waiting to see a specialist.

Initial studies of the program have found that participating primary care providers demonstrated significant improvements in confidence across all sectors of health care for children with autism.

Since the initial studies of ECHO Autism, nearly 250 health providers have received training on best-practice care.

Introduction

Long wait times have been a persistent issue for families waiting to see an autism specialist, with waits often exceeding a year. Additionally, children with autism living in rural areas have added costs associated with traveling long distances for health care.

Main Item

To address these issues, ECHO Autism, a University of Missouri program, has been successfully training primary care providers to diagnose and manage autism spectrum disorders. Now, Kristin Sohl, associate professor of child health and the director of ECHO Autism, is preparing to expand the program with ECHO Autism partner sites serving Alabama, Alaska and under-served Navajo communities in New Mexico and Arizona. ECHO Autism also is set to expand globally through partner sites in Kenya. In the past year, Sohl has conducted autism specific trainings for ECHO Uruguay.

"Since the initial studies of ECHO Autism, nearly 250 health providers have received training on best-practice care," Sohl said.

"The program effectively increases the capacity for health care in underserved communities, which means that families can get the answers they need without traveling or waiting to see a specialist."

Launched in March 2015, ECHO Autism is a partnership between the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, MU Health, and the Missouri Telehealth Network Show-Me ECHO program. ECHO Autism clinics are conducted using high-quality, secure video conferencing technology to connect participating primary care clinics to a panel of experts.

Initial studies of the program have found that participating primary care providers demonstrated significant improvements in confidence across all sectors of health care for children with autism, including screening and identification, assessment and treatment of medical and psychiatric conditions, and knowledge of and referral to available resources.

"The success we have seen in Missouri and in other areas where ECHO Autism has been replicated means that this model can work in even more remote areas," Sohl said. "Expanding the program from Africa to Alaska will help families around the world."

Micah Mazurek, associate professor of health psychology in the School of Health Professions, and Rachel Brown, professor of clinical psychiatry in the MU School of Medicine, co-authored the recently published paper, "ECHO Autism: using technology and mentorship to bridge gaps, increase access to care, and bring best practice autism care to primary care," which was featured in Clinical Pediatrics. ECHO Autism is modeled after Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico.

The program has received support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the state-funded Missouri Telehealth Network, Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Leda J. Sears Charitable Trust and WellCare Innovation Institute.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Missouri-Columbia and published on 2017/06/02, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, University of Missouri-Columbia can be contacted at missouri.edu NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

Explore Similar Topics

- Study shows that medical abortion can be carried out safely and effectively via telemedicine, without a routine ultrasound examination.

- This toolkit provides U.S. states with issues to consider as they evaluate the need to expand their telehealth capabilities and coverage policies.

Citing Information and Page References

Disabled World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource providing information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): University of Missouri-Columbia. (2017, June 2 - Last revised: 2021, March 16). Telehealth Reduces Wait Time and Improves Care for Remote Area Children with Autism. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 14, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/ehealth/echo-autism.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/ehealth/echo-autism.php">Telehealth Reduces Wait Time and Improves Care for Remote Area Children with Autism</a>: The ECHO Autism program increases capacity for health care in underserved communities, and families can now get answers they need without traveling or waiting to see a specialist.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.