American Journal on Addictions (05/20/25) Lutgen, Cory B.; Callen, Elisabeth; Robertson, Elise; et al.

A recent study sought to evaluate opioid use disorder (OUD)-related training for physicians and healthcare team members using the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO) model in a primary care, team-based setting. In all, 12 Project ECHO sessions were held over the course of a year, and 20 practices and 130 individuals participated. Based on baseline, endpoint, and post-session surveys, researchers found significantly higher confidence and knowledge at the individual, group, and role level. Topics that saw that largest increases focused on treating patients with fentanyl or co-occurring hepatitis C virus infection, office-based treatments, and behavioral health and counseling. The study, one of the first to use Project ECHO across clinical teams, highlights the benefits of accessible team-based learning on self-reported confidence and knowledge, the study authors report. Additionally, they write, it may also "strengthen the approach to opioid use disorder patient care."

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