Skip to main content

ECHO Clinics

Intro to ECHO 

Mock ECHO case discussion

MACS ECHO™ Clinics follow a collaborative model of medical education that improves access to specialty care by linking expert specialist teams with healthcare providers and their practices through real-time, online learning sessions. Knowledge-sharing networks create a learning loop where community providers learn from specialists and each other. This allows best practices to emerge and increases access to high quality specialty care serving local communities. More about Project ECHO™...

MACS currently offers ECHO™ Clinic learning communities for providers in a variety of clinical settings. Participants apply de-identified case-based learning to master complexity. Each virtual ECHO™ clinic session will include didactic learning and case-based discussion. 

If you would like to present a case, please submit the Case Presentation Form to MACS.ECHO@som.umaryland.edu or fax to 855-337-MACS.

Project ECHO™ FAQs

MACS ECHO Clinics count toward the 8-hour substance use training required for DEA registrants and renewals. According to guidelines from SAMHSA and the DEA, any organization recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) may provide trainings that meet this new requirement. MACS ECHO™ Clinics are planned and implemented by MACS and Project ECHO™, and they are jointly accredited by the ACCME. For more information about the training requirement, visit MAT & MATE Acts.


Substance Use Disorders

Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

Fall/Winter Cycle: September 2024 - January 2025
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 12:30 - 1:30 pm

blue stethoscope with heart

Join our learning community for presentations and case-based discussions centered on best practices in SUD with Drs. Devang Gandhi, Malik Burnett, and Bethany Dipaula, PharmD.

  • September 18 - Overview of Systemic Racism in Opioid Addiction Care presented by G. Malik Burnett, MD
  • October 16 - ADHD and Substance Use Disorders: A Complicated Relationship presented by D. Gandhi, MD
  • December 18 - Opioid Use Disorder and Cannabis: A Balanced Approach presented by M. Fingerhood, MD
  • January 15 - Optimizing the Pharmacy Partnership in Managing Patients with OUD presented by B. DiPaula, PharmD

Register for this Cycle

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis.

Benefits

  • Access to team of addiction specialists and peer learning community
  • Increase personal and practice capacity for high-quality addiction treatment and patient care
  • Acquire new skills, competencies, best practices in substance use care
  • Continuing education credit (see accreditation section)

Who should participate?

  • Physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants
  • Pharmacists
  • Counselors and other staff involved in patient substance use care

Accreditation

joint accredited provider logoIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) and Project ECHO. Project ECHO® is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ACPE Designation Statement

This activity will provide pharmacists up to 1.0 contact hour. UAN JA4008231-9999-24-049-L01-P has been assigned to this Knowledge based program. CE credit information, based on verification of live attendance and completion of the program evaluation, will be provided to NABP within 60 days after the activity completion. 

ANCC Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation.

AAPA accreditation logoAAPA Credit Designation Statement – Live

Project ECHO has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Opioid Treatment Program

Providers in an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Setting

Fall/Winter Cycle: September 2024 - January 2025
Every 1st Wednesday of the month from 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Starting Wednesday, September 4, join our learning community for presentations and case-based discussions specially designed for providers in an OTP setting with Drs. Devang Gandhi, Malik Burnett, and Sarah Merritt.teal icon of a clinic

  • September 4 - Overview of Systemic Racism in Opioid Addiction Care presented by G. M. Burnett, MD
  • October 2 - Managing Pain in the Patient with SUD presented by S. Merritt, MD
  • November 6 - ADHD and OUD presented by D. Gandhi, MD
  • December 4 - Benzodiazepines and OUD presented by D. Gandhi, MD
  • January 8 - Beyond "Benita and Quinine": Cuts, Buffs and Adulterants in Maryland presented by A. Greenblatt, MD

Register for this Cycle

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis.

Benefits

  • Monthly case-based learning sessions
  • Consultation with experts and your peers on how to manage challenging cases
  • Focus on patient-centered care, harm reduction and best practices
  • Better understanding of OTP regulations
  • Free continuing education credit

Who Should Participate?

  • Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and physician assistants working in OTPs
  • Clinical directors of OTPs
  • Counselors and other clinical staff in OTPs
  • Other clinicians involved in the care of OTP patients

Accreditation

joint accredited provider logoIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) and Project ECHO. Project ECHO® is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ACPE Designation Statement

This activity will provide pharmacists up to 1.0 contact hour. UAN JA4008231-9999-24-048-L01-P has been assigned to this Knowledge based program. CE credit information, based on verification of live attendance and completion of the program evaluation, will be provided to NABP within 60 days after the activity completion. 

ANCC Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation.

AAPA Credit Designation Statement – LiveAAPA accreditation logo

Project ECHO has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

CEU Credit

Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry is authorized as a sponsor of Continuing Education Units. MACS maintains responsibility for this program.

Maternal Health

Providers in Maternal Health Settings

Fall/Winter Cycle: September 2024 - January 2025
Join us every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 8:00 - 9:00 am

teal icon of a pregnant woman

Join us every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 8 to 9 am for presentations and case-based discussions designed for providers in maternal health settings with Katrina Mark, Christopher Welsh, and Kathleen Connors.

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis.

For registration and more information including session details, visit the MACS for MOMs ECHO Clinic webpage.

Trauma

Providing MOUD from a Trauma-Informed Perspective 

Fall/Winter Cycle: September 2024 - February 2025
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Join our virtual learning community for continuous case-based discussions and didactic presentations linking providers with their peers and expert addiction medicine and trauma-informed care specialists.

  • September 25 - Introduction to Trauma in MOUD presented by B. Israel, MD
  • October 30 - Addressing Adversity in the Treatment of Youth SUD presented by M. Fishman, MD
  • November 21 - Trauma-informed Care for LGBTQIA+ Populations presented by L. Westgate, MSW, LCSW-C
  • January 22 - Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and SUD presented by K. Connors, LCSW-C
  • February 26 - Overview of Systemic Racism in Opioid Addiction Care presented by G. Malik Burnett, MD

Register for this cycle

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis.

Benefits

  • Monthly case-based learning sessions
  • Consultation with experts and your peers on how to manage challenging cases
  • Focus on patient-centered care, harm reduction, and best practices
  • Better understanding of trauma-informed care and SUD
  • Free continuing education credit

Who Should Participate?

  • Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and physician assistants
  • Clinical directors
  • Counselors and other clinical staff
  • Other clinicians involved in the care of patients with SUD

Accreditation

joint accredited provider logoIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) and Project ECHO. Project ECHO® is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ACPE Designation Statement

This activity will provide pharmacists up to 1.0 contact hour. UAN JA4008231-9999-24-039-L01-P has been assigned to this Knowledge based program.  CE credit information, based on verification of live attendance and completion of the program evaluation, will be provided to NABP within 60 days after the activity completion. 

ANCC Designation Statement

Project ECHO® designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation.

AAPA Credit Designation Statement – LiveAAPA accreditation logo

Project ECHO has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

CEU Credit:

Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry is authorized as a sponsor of Continuing Education Units. MACS maintains responsibility for this program.


What is Project ECHO?

Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a movement to connect local primary care teams with inter-disciplinary specialist teams to spread knowledge and amplify local capacity to provide best practice care for complex chronic health conditions. ECHO’s goal is to enable rural and traditionally underserved populations to receive high-quality care, when they need it, close to home. This low-cost, high-impact intervention is achieved by leveraging technology to connect expert mentors and multiple local primary care providers in online video-conferencing TeleECHO clinics.

The ECHO model™ links expert specialist teams at an academic institution with prescribers in local communities to address the inadequate supply of culturally appropriate and accessible specialty care in rural and traditionally underserved areas. Together, they participate in weekly TeleECHO clinics, which are like virtual grand rounds combined with mentoring and patient case presentations. TeleECHO clinics focused on the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral health disorders have been operating since 2005 with significant success in increasing the number of waivered prescribers as well as improving geographic access to medication-based treatment in rural and underserved areas. Find out more from the University of New Mexico.

How to request information about MACS ECHO Clinics

 

The Maryland Addiction Consultation Service is administered by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and funded by the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration.