ECHO Center at IUPUI launches first HIV program to improve access to treatment

The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health ECHO Center at IUPUI has launched its first program focusing on HIV education, prevention and treatment in Indiana.

The program is free and open to all members of the medical profession.

The school uses the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, or ECHO, model to create a network of clinical practice and faculty expertise to help clinicians provide evidence-based, culturally competent and comprehensive care to a diverse patient population.

The curriculum includes HIV screening, treatment, pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, diagnosing and managing opportunistic infections, and treating patients with co-morbid medical conditions.

"With advances in treatment, people living with HIV have the opportunity to live full and healthy lives," said Dr. Joan Duwve, associate dean for practice at the Fairbanks School of Public Health. "Unfortunately, accessing treatment too often requires seeing a specialist miles away from home. We are training providers throughout Indiana because we know that removing barriers to care increases the odds that people will get treatment. And that is so important for HIV, because treatment is prevention.

"Simply stated, better access to HIV treatment means healthier Hoosiers."

HIV ECHO clinic sessions are 90 minutes and are offered twice a month. Medical professionals -- including but not limited to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, community health workers, pharmacists and emergency medical technicians -- are invited to attend.

In addition to the HIV ECHO, the ECHO Center also offers a Hepatitis C ECHO and an LGBTQ+ ECHO. It is one of only two institutions in the United States offering such a program addressing issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community.

Register HERE for an upcoming ECHO.

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