The Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO was formed in 2020 to address the pandemic’s impact on nursing homes in Minnesota and the region. Originally called the Upper Midwest Nursing Home COVID-19 ECHO Collaborative, the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO has evolved to serve a diverse mix of clinical and operational leadership from Minnesota’s aging services field.
A partnership among the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Nursing, College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS), and School of Public Health, the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO offers 22 hour-long educational sessions a year on a wide variety of topics designed to improve quality of life for older adults and operational outcomes for Minnesota’s nursing homes and skilled care settings. Participants include medical directors, nurse leaders, assisted living directors, nursing home administrators, geriatric clinicians, social workers and more.
“After the pandemic slowed down, we determined there is still a significant need for a place where people working in senior living could come to explore different topics with their peers,” said Rajean P. Moone, PhD, LNHA, LALD, FGSA, faculty director for Long-Term Care Administration, CCAPS. “With the ‘all teach, all learn’ approach, we continue to explore a wide spectrum of topics related to services and clinical interventions in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.”
Each session features an expert guest or guests, case studies and discussion groups. Participants can attend the virtual sessions free of charge while earning continuing education credits. Recent topics include substance abuse disorders, person-centered religious and spiritual care, enhanced barrier precautions, fundamentals of customer service, technology and aging, and Minnesota legislative session recaps.
Moone has observed firsthand the impact of the ECHO sessions.
“A nurse who was part of the original COVID-19 ECHO came out of retirement to once again provide care in a nursing home,” said Moone. “Despite the terrible things that happened during the pandemic, the stories of resilience, community and caring are prevalent in geriatric settings. We’ve seen firsthand the passion and commitment these providers went through for their patients.”
Teresa McCarthy, MD, MS, CMD, is an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, a geriatrician and co-investigator in the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (MN GWEP). McCarthy has witnessed the growth and interest in the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO sessions.
“The sessions have transitioned from COVID management to more general geriatric care issues as well as operational issues,” said McCarthy. “The interest has remained, and the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO is now integrated into the long-term care community. The University’s role is so important as trusted educational partners in adding clinical content and interacting with these facilities across the state.”
McCarthy also notes that smaller geriatric care facilities in the metro and outstate have found a valuable forum in the ECHO for sharing information—and that word of mouth has increased participation. Some of the biggest challenges for geriatric facilities include workforce issues such as staff recruitment and retention, infection control, and providing a community of support for the challenges faced by these facilities.
“The ‘all teach, all learn’ concept has evolved as we hear the concerns and needs of the participants,” said McCarthy. “The ECHO model is really simple, but it’s also really elegant. It’s a forum for sharing best practices, connecting, building community, and allowing space to safely discuss concerns and successes for both urban and rural participants. It absolutely works to address issues that are so important to these facilities.”
Feedback from ECHO participants
“The Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO creates a sense of community.”
“I've learned about new topics related to my work.”
“The information presented applies directly to the work I do.”
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