Survey on the Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in the Arizona State University Project ECHO Hubs For Integrated Behavioral Health Management

Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is a telemedicine knowledge sharing hub for clinicians, managers, administrators, and other health-care providers that integrates physical and behavioral health in underserved areas. The importance of behavioral health integration is that it allows providers to target complex conditions. For example, the top ten causes of morbidity and mortality in the US have modifiable behavioral factors and unhealthy lifestyles (Mokdad et al., 2004). This health care has the potential to increase quality healthcare and accessibility to health while decreasing health care costs. ECHO participants gain better patient care skills, professional development, sharing new knowledge, and an opportunity to develop a community of learning. Despite the potential benefits, participation in ASU ECHO has been declining. This study assesses the barriers and facilitators to participation. The results suggest that the biggest barrier for participants is time and a facilitator for this is calendar technology like outlook.