Effectiveness of an Extension for Community Health Outcomes case-based virtual community of practice model on clinician outcomes for the management of long COVID and fatiguing illnesses: a randomized control trial.

What was studied

This was a cluster randomised trial. It tested ECHO. This is a virtual learning model. It is for clinicians. It uses case-based virtual community of practice sessions. The topic was Long COVID care. It also covered other infection-associated chronic conditions. These patients often face barriers to specialist care. The ECHO group was invited to weekly, expert-led sessions on Zoom. Both groups were invited to monthly webinars. Both were invited to quarterly short courses. The trial was single-blind. Data came from clinician surveys, participation records and health records.

What they found

After baseline adjustment, knowledge was higher with ECHO. The beta was 0.77. This was significant. Confidence was higher too. The beta was 0.48. This was significant. Practice changes were not significant, at 0.52. Sessions attended predicted all outcomes significantly. Specialist referrals per patient fell. The beta was -0.44. Visit length and patient load did not differ.

What it means for patients

The authors say ECHO can improve clinician knowledge. They say it can improve confidence too. This is for care of these patients. They say it also lowered specialist referrals. They call it a hopeful way to build primary care capacity.

Why it is not certain yet

Practice changes were not significant. The trial was single-blind. Data came from clinician surveys and records. A single trial can only show so much.

Source

Effectiveness of an Extension for Community Health Outcomes case-based virtual community of practice model on clinician outcomes for the management of long COVID and fatiguing illnesses: a randomized control trial.

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