A phenomenal rise – TIPS-ECHO
Project ECHO has enabled the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS) to capacitate and train providers, volunteers and beneficiaries in integrating palliative care into their practice as well as their lives. The prescribed format of knowledge dissemination, interactions and clinical case based discussions has proven to be effective in reducing the existing gaps in understanding. The clinics are led by experts in the field with participants from across the world. The aim is to promote teamwork, improve communications and practice systematic approach within a framework centered on quality and standards, including both clinical and psychosocial aspects that lead to refinement of ideas and methodologies.
The year 2020 saw a phenomenal rise in ECHO programs and participant numbers. A year when everything went virtual, we were able to leverage technology to step up palliative care training at a time when it was sorely needed. The Pallicovid ECHO program specifically integrated palliative care principles with mainstream COVID management and patient care. We were able to break barriers and reach people who had been palliative care naïve up until that point.
The responses we received from our participants were powerful and positive.
Xiohara E. Gentica of Philippines writes, “This online training course has unleashed a hidden craving for learning that I have kept for a long time. I never thought that learning online could be this fun and nourishing. The team of mentors and colleagues are really awesome and participative and everyone listens to one’s opinions and respects them that make learning constructive and impactful to me as an individual.”
We strive to keep our sessions informative and insightful and are mindful to include aspects of care that are not commonly touched upon in other settings. These are illustrated through patient stories and visual materials.
We also work towards the creation of a robust repository of learning materials and resources that participants have access to whenever required.