A School Nurse Application of the ECHO Model.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Public Health Nursing
• Educational Technology in Healthcare

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a prevalent childhood condition, with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increasing.
• Schools are critical settings for managing chronic pediatric health conditions.
• Effective management of diabetes in schools requires specialized nursing knowledge and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the ECHO model as a tool for collaboration and dissemination among Colorado school nurses.
• To assess the effectiveness of the "School Nurses Managing Diabetes Care" ECHO learning series.
• To enhance school nurses' capacity for evidence-based Type 1 diabetes management.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of the "School Nurses Managing Diabetes Care" ECHO program for school nurses in Colorado.
• Utilizing the ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model for collaborative learning and knowledge dissemination.
• Post-series surveys to measure changes in self-efficacy and planned practice changes.

Main Results:

• A 25% increase in self-efficacy ratings among participating school nurses regarding T1D management.
• All respondents indicated plans to implement practice changes to improve care for students with T1D.
• Demonstrated the ECHO model's utility as a collaborative and disseminative tool.

Conclusions:

• The ECHO model is effective in building school nurses' capacity for evidence-based Type 1 diabetes care.
• The program fostered collaboration and dissemination of best practices among school nurses.
• Expanding the ECHO model is crucial for intensive management of pediatric diabetes amid rising chronic condition rates.