Technology-Enabled Learning Collaborative Program - Abstract The Central Valley Digital Health Collaborative Learning Network (CV Connect) is a technology-enabled workforce development initiative proposed by California State University, Fresno (CSU Fresno) to address persistent healthcare workforce shortages, limited specialty access, and high rates of chronic disease and behavioral health needs across California’s Central Valley in the core countries of Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Madera. Led by CSU Fresno’s Department of Physical Therapy, the Department of Social Work Education, School of Nursing and the Center for Digital and Technological Innovation in Healthcare (CDTIH), CV Connect uses a hub-and-spoke collaborative learning model grounded in interprofessional training, case-based discussion and consultation, and technology-enabled knowledge exchange. The project targets providers at participating clinical sites (spokes) serving rural, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUAP), where geographic and professional isolation, limited continuing education opportunities, and limited specialty access contribute to provider burnout, fragmented care, and persistent health disparities. The proposed project addresses two focus areas: 1) Chronic disease prevention and management and 2) mental health and substance use disorders. These serve as the program’s primary clinical training domains through which healthcare providers develop competencies in evidence-based, team-based, and technology-enabled care. CV Connect delivers this model through a structured 16-session learning cycle consisting of 14 biweekly virtual Project “Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes” (ECHO) Model™ sessions featuring case-based discussions led by the physician specialist and an interprofessional healthcare team, together with two half-day in-person workshops organized by the hub. The two workshops will provide hands-on practical training in technology-driven healthcare practices to address challenges faced by HSPAs and MUAP in the CV. This learning cycle is preceded by a planning and needs-assessment phase and followed by a structured post-assessment phase to ensure the curriculum remains aligned with community needs and supports continuous program improvement. The program combines technology-enabled learning with academic and community partnerships to expand access to specialty expertise while allowing providers to remain in their local communities. The initiative also leverages CSU Fresno’s leadership in digital health and emerging technologies, longstanding regional partnerships, interdisciplinary expertise, and Mobile Health Unit to strengthen workforce development and expand technology-enabled learning, telehealth training, and digital health education across the four-county service area. By strengthening workforce capacity, improving provider retention, and expanding access to specialty expertise through technology-enabled collaborative learning, CV Connect aims to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Central Valley. This collaborative model establishes a sustainable regional infrastructure for technology-enabled workforce development, interprofessional learning, and access to specialty expertise beyond the federal funding period.
