SOW - 75H70420R00008.pdf

COVID-Related ECHOs Scope of Work

Project ECHO has proved to be a valuable resource in the IHS response to the COVID-19 crisis. The need for the sharing of up-to-date information, tests, and treatments will remain extremely high as IHS transitions into the Recovery phase of pandemic response efforts. Given this, four (4) Clinician Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHOs) consisting of twenty four (24) sessions each is required to ensure that response efforts remain as effective as possible. The four (4) ECHO topics shall include the following:

1. Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain ECHO (2 sessions per month for 12 months). The epidemic of SARS COVi-2 (COVID-19) virus has had a stark impact on both health care practitioners and patients. American Indian communities have been disproportionately affected since patient access to pain and addiction services has been severely curtailed. Drug treatment services are less accessible, and illicit drug distribution patterns have also changed. The stress of ongoing physical isolation, fear, grief, and lack of access to usual support have led many Americans, including health practitioners, to increase their use of substances: opioids/heroin, alcohol, and methamphetamine. ECHO Pain faculty propose revising the current Pain ECHO to Substance Use, Addiction and Chronic Pain.

The proposed Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain ECHO will:

• Discuss integrative, multimodal interventions for treatment of chronic pain

• Review CDC Guidelines and safe opioid prescribing along with evidence-based chronic pain tools

• Discuss the interplay between psychological and physical pain

• Add new content about alcohol and methamphetamine, and the impact of their increasing use

• Address the triggers that lead to increased/ inappropriate substance use in times of stress

• Discuss the integration of pharmacotherapy for substance use disorders within the person-centered care model

The initial COVID 19 response will adjust to reflect ongoing risk and infection, but the impact of this epidemic will be life-changing for individuals and communities. Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain ECHO will carry forward that work as the health care delivery system and affected individuals and communities move forward.

2. Mental Health and Resiliency ECHO (2 sessions per month for 12 months). The collective impact of COVID 19 stressors will have a lasting impact, resulting in multiple psychological conditions. This ECHO aims to increase clinicians’ skills in treating patients and peers in the pandemic crisis and its aftermath.

Ideally an AI/AN clinician will join the Hub team. The proposed ECHO will:

• Address the interplay between physical and mental health

• Assist prescribing clinicians to screen for and treat depression and anxiety

• Address the impact of COVID 19 on patients already affected by trauma, including historical and complex trauma, and introduce evidence-based treatment modalities

• Address the impact of grief and loss on individuals and communities

• Assist health practitioners to understand their own trauma and propose evidence-based interventions to prevent PTSD and support resilience.

3. COVID 19 ECHO Update for IHS (2 sessions per month for 12 months). The ECHO Institute proposes an ongoing webinar series as new developments emerge in COVID 19 screening, treatment, and the management of post-infection syndromes. Given the uncertain on information and developments, this ECHO will be agile and be able to disseminate new, current information and treatments quickly.

4. Community Health Workers/Representatives ECHO (2 sessions per month for 12 months). One the lasting impacts of COVID-19 is the need for community-based care. This ECHO will support CHRs, CHWs, and PHNs, as they extend Primary Care into communities and homes. The ECHO will address COVID-specific and COVID-related topics, as well as, best practices for community-based care.

All ECHOs will be open to any I/T/U staff free of charge. When appropriate, the ECHOs will provide CME/CEU to attendees at no cost.

*Section 508 compliance will be needed for all presentation and training material.