Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program - The proposed project for the Outreach Program’s Regular Track aims to enhance health care access and outcomes for rural, underserved populations in Eastern Idaho through the East Idaho Health Care Consortium (EIHCC), led by ECHO Idaho. This initiative will leverage the evidence-based Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model to deliver a no-cost, continuing education program to health care providers in these regions. The target population includes rural health care providers across 24 counties within Idaho Public Health Districts 5, 6, and 7, encompassing subpopulations such as low-income residents, veterans, older adults, Hispanic and Native American communities, and individuals with limited English proficiency. Eastern Idaho faces significant health care challenges, including high rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, compounded by geographic isolation, socioeconomic disparities, and a critical shortage of health care providers. The proposed project addresses these challenges by expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based training to improve providers' clinical knowledge, competence, and capacity to manage chronic diseases and conditions locally. The project has three main goals: 1) enhance access to quality health care in rural Eastern Idaho by expanding the delivery of services; 2) leverage the Project ECHO model to deliver targeted education for chronic disease prevention and management; and 3) positively impact patient outcomes by increasing providers' clinical knowledge, competence, and skills. Through the ECHO program, rural health care providers will engage in regularly scheduled tele-education sessions led by subject matter experts. These interactive trainings are designed to build local capacity to prevent, identify, treat, and manage chronic diseases and conditions, ultimately improving health outcomes. By fostering collaboration in a dynamic learning environment, the program empowers rural providers with the confidence and expertise needed to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care. Additionally, by eliminating the need for travel, the program ensures accessibility for providers even in the most remote areas. Expected outcomes include the delivery of 74 educational sessions, reaching at least 200 rural health care providers in Year 1; 300 in Years 2 and 3; and 225 in Year 4. The program also anticipates measurable improvements in providers' clinical skills and patient health outcomes, alongside developing a sustainable model for ongoing education and community engagement. The EIHCC members bring extensive experience in addressing rural health disparities, including expertise in forming effective partnerships, delivering culturally relevant education, and leveraging community resources. The project's evidence-based approach and strong collaborative framework ensure its alignment with the unique needs of Eastern Idaho's underserved populations. Sustainability will be prioritized through strategic planning, securing diverse funding sources, and fostering long-term collaboration among stakeholders. By addressing systemic barriers to care and equipping providers with advanced training, the project seeks to transform health care delivery for rural communities, reduce health disparities, and improve the quality of life for Eastern Idaho’s vulnerable populations.
