ECHO Autism

ECHO Autism: a virtual-learning research project

Vanderbilt is partnering with primary care providers in the community in a research study through a virtual learning network, ECHO Autism. The overall goal of ECHO Autism is to offer community physicians (anyone with professional training in general pediatrics, family medicine, advanced practice nursing—NP or PA) an opportunity to develop more skills in managing and treating patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in their own practice setting. This includes but not limited to training on screening/identification and management of commonly seen medical co-morbidities.

Community physicians will work along a group of autism subspecialists from Vanderbilt to better evaluate and manage patients with autism. The physicians will attend a virtual telehealth ECHO clinic twice a month (total of 12 clinics) with this group of subspecialists from Vanderbilt. Community providers can join through their smartphones or webcams instead of having to travel to Vanderbilt. We will compensate providers and also offer CME credits for the clinics that they attend. The ECHO clinics will run every other Thursday, beginning June 8-November 30, from 11-1. Two case presentations will be discussed during each clinic, followed by a short autism-related didactic presentation from one of the Vanderbilt subspecialists (topics include: What is Autism?, ADHD/Autism/Medication Use, Sleep and Autism, and more).

If you are a primary care provider who is interested in more information about the study, please contact the coordinator, Bethany Drury at: 615-343-1729 or Bethany.Drury@Vanderbilt.edu  You may also visit the study website to learn more: http://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vkc/echo/.