Key Findings
- Purpose
To evaluate whether a structured Project ECHO virtual learning series could improve healthcare professional’s knowledge and confidence in facilitating transition from pediatric to adult care for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). - Population (Model)
Forty healthcare professionals from 12 U.S. states participated in the pilot cohort. Participants included physicians, nurses, social workers, care coordinators, psychologists, research coordinators, transition coordinators, and community health workers. Practice settings included pediatric SCD clinics (48%), adult SCD clinics (8%), pediatric primary care (5%), and federally qualified health centers (5%).
- Headline Result
- The program consisted of four 1-hour virtual sessions using the Project ECHO tele-mentoring model with didactic teaching and case discussions.
- Curriculum covered transition research, readiness tools, implementation strategies, and the Got Transition “Six Core Elements” framework.
- Participants reported improved confidence in identifying patients ready fortransition (+22%), preparing pediatric patients for transition (+30%), using transition readiness tools (+38%), and understanding stages of healthcare transition (+37%).
- Qualitative feedback highlighted the value of interactive case discussions, multidisciplinary perspectives, and practical tools for transition programs.
- Why It Matters
Transition from pediatric to adult care is a high-risk period for individuals with SCD, often associated with increased hospitalizations, care fragmentation, and loss of continuity. Education programs that equip clinicians with structured transition tools and shared best practices may help reduce these gaps in care. - Evidence Gaps & Limitations
Pilot cohort with self-reported outcomes; improvements reflect perceived confidence rather than measured clinical outcomes. Larger implementation studies are needed to determine whether provider training translates into improved patient outcomes.
Source: Journal of Sickle Cell Disease- “Transition to Adult Sickle Cell Disease Care: A Project ECHO Learning Series for Healthcare Professionals”
Regulatory & Guideline Watch
National transition frameworks such as Got Transition’s Six Core Element semphasize structured preparation, readiness assessment, and coordinated handoffs when moving patients to adult care. Educational models like Project ECHO may support broader implementation of these frameworks in SCD programs.