Mission
The Missouri Telehealth Network increases access to patient-centered health care via telehealth for rural and underserved Missourians by providing technical assistance to health care organizations, partnering with key stakeholders, operating telehealth programs and supporting and developing telehealth policies.
The Missouri Telehealth Network exists to develop, study, and use telehealth solutions that improve access by providing high-value, patient-centered health care and medical education in Missouri and beyond.
Six Pillars of Our Culture
- Mission oriented
- Exceptional customer service
- Continuous improvement
- Excellent communication
- Collaboration
- Active listening
Message from Our Director
As we reflect on the past year, the Missouri Telehealth Network (MTN) remains steadfast in its mission to transform healthcare across Missouri. In 2024, our ongoing commitment to expanding access, improving quality, and reducing healthcare disparities has resulted in significant progress. MTN continues to leverage innovative technology to bridge the gap between rural healthcare teams and specialists in urban areas.
The Rural Citizen’s Access to Telehealth (RCAT) program, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Social Services, continued to make a meaningful impact by providing funding, education, and training to rural healthcare teams serving Medicaid patients. This initiative has been essential in helping rural communities expand their telehealth capabilities. Additionally, we launched the Interprofessional Telehealth Training Program (ITTP), an asynchronous course designed to improve collaboration and care through telehealth. This program equips healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge to provide high-quality care via telehealth, streamlining communication and promoting equity. Our Telehealth Billing Guide also remains a valuable resource, offering comprehensive information on telehealth rules in an easily accessible, user-friendly format.
This year, Show-Me ECHO celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of success in leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery. Since its inception, Show-Me ECHO has been pivotal in addressing some of Missouri's most pressing healthcare challenges. Through thousands of ECHO sessions, Show-Me ECHO has tackled a wide range of issues, including chronic disease management, mental health, pediatric care, and infectious diseases. In collaboration with various educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies, Show-Me ECHO has built a strong network dedicated to providing education and support across the state. Additionally, through our partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, MTN developed the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam via Telehealth (SAFE-vT) training program. This initiative ensures that sexual assault survivors, regardless of their location, have access to critical care through telehealth, expanding capacity statewide to respond to these sensitive cases.
As we look to the future, MTN remains committed to innovation and expanding access to healthcare for all Missourians. In 2025, Show-Me ECHO will introduce several new ECHO topics, including Family Support Providers, Cardiovascular disease, Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Healthy Weight, Cancer Survivorship, and Child Human Trafficking. These new initiatives are designed to meet the evolving needs of the most vulnerable populations in Missouri, ensuring that they have access to the care and support they deserve.
We are incredibly grateful for the continued collaboration and support of our partners. Together, we are paving the way for a healthier future for all Missourians. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to improving healthcare across our state.
Increasing Access to Telehealth
In collaboration with other state leaders, MTN provided funding for critical telehealth services through the Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) program and expanded the availability of essential services through the Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations via Telehealth training (SAFEvT).
Telemedicine Services Improve Healthcare Access in Rural Missouri
The Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) program is enhancing healthcare access in rural Missouri by supporting the expansion of telemedicine services. With $15 million in funding, the program helps overcome challenges like high costs and lack of training, enabling the delivery of essential care remotely. Through 35 active projects, telehealth is increasing access to primary care, mental health services, and more. Preliminary data shows positive outcomes as telemedicine improves healthcare access and ensures timely, high-quality care for rural communities throughout the state.
Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth Services (RCAT)
Missouri Expands Access to SANE Services Through Telehealth
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam is a forensic procedure performed by a medical professional to collect evidence and provide care for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. In 2020, Missouri lawmakers recognized the need to expand access to these exams, and MTN has since collaborated to increase their availability.
Providing Technical Support and Resources
As the Missouri partner for the Heartland Telehealth Resource Center (HTRC), we delivered technical support related to telehealth services. Additionally, we offered valuable resources, including a free, web-based telehealth billing resource and training through the Interprofessional Telehealth Training Program (ITTP).
Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
MTN is Missouri’s partner with the Heartland Telehealth Resource Center (HTRC), a federally funded initiative aimed at expanding and sustaining telehealth services in rural and underserved communities. MTN offers specialized expertise across various telehealth areas, including technical support, clinical practices, operational strategies, legal and regulatory matters, and program evaluation. HTRC provided 29 outreach events (webinars and training sessions) and offered assistance to more than 2400 recipients in 2024.
Telehealth Billing
Telehealth regulations and guidelines are continually changing, which can be confusing and overwhelming. To assist, we have developed a FREE, Missouri-specific billing guide to support Federally Qualified Health Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and more. This guide is easily accessible, frequently updated, and provides telehealth rules, general information, and useful resources tailored to organization type, services, and payers.
Interprofessional Telehealth Training Program
In 2024, MTN launched a comprehensive online telehealth education program. Five modules are designed to address the gap in training and knowledge for medical, nursing, and other health-related students and practicing professionals. Curriculum topics include best practices, technology guidance, legal and regulatory updates, and key considerations for patient safety. Since launching in August, over 330 have registered for the modules with 63% completing at least one module. The majority of participants (90%) indicate they will make a change to their practice after completing the modules. Participants have come from all across Missouri and have represented numerous professions including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, and more.
Educating Healthcare, Education, and Other Professionals
Show-Me ECHO
10 Years of Service to Missouri Communities
Over the past 10 years, Show-Me ECHO has grown from just a couple of ECHOs to 35 dynamic topics, impacting every county in Missouri! With nearly 13,000 learners and more than 3,000 cases presented, we are proud to support healthcare professionals statewide. Our sustained funding and deep community partnerships are what allow us to keep growing and innovating. Here is to continuing our mission of better healthcare for Missouri.
History of Show-Me ECHO
ECHO sessions are facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, called a hub team. The hub team consists of local and regional specialists, persons with lived experience, and subject matter experts. Show-Me ECHO strives to recruit hub team members that reflect the population served by the ECHO and from across the state.
Hub team members share their knowledge through didactic presentations and by mentoring attendees who present de-identified cases through discussions, using a guided practice model. A commitment to an “all teach, all learn” approach fosters learning by both hub team members and participants. Through the ECHO model, hub team members gain a better understanding of the challenges participants and those they serve encounter in underserved areas.
This year’s Show-Me ECHO Summit was a resounding success, bringing together key stakeholders, staff, and leaders to celebrate ten years of progress and hard work. Welcome remarks were given by Dr. Richard Barohn, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean, School of Medicine. His remarks set the tone for the day, reaffirming the importance of collaboration and excellence in delivering impactful results.
The agenda encouraged reflection and forward-thinking, starting with the Clinical Liaison Panel, which explored key areas of focus, fidelity, and facilitation in improving our ECHO sessions. The Hub Team Panel emphasized the importance of mentoring and creating a supportive learning environment, while the Stakeholder Panel showcased the value of partnerships and our shared goals for the future. The event left everyone motivated and energized to continue the important work ahead. We are proud of the milestones achieved over the past decade and look forward to building on these successes as we continue to serve our community with passion and purpose.
The Summit was also an opportunity to recognize the work of our dedicated hub team members. Two ECHO innovator awards were given to individuals, and five awards were given to hub teams. Awards are featured to the left with details below.
Show-Me ECHO Makes a Difference
New in 2024
Cardiovascular ECHO
Did you know that Missouri faces one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the nation? High blood pressure, obesity, and lifestyles contribute to making heart disease a leading cause of death in our state. With significant disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, it's crucial to address these inequities and improve heart health outcomes.
Show-Me ECHO’s Cardiovascular ECHO program connects local healthcare professionals with top cardiovascular specialists, offering a collaborative platform to discuss best practices, innovative treatments, and effective care strategies. Together with a multidisciplinary team of experts and specialists, health care professionals can (1) address critical heart health issues head-on, (2) build a network with leading experts and fellow practitioners, and (3) elevate patient care through shared insights and advanced learning.
The Cardiovascular ECHO program is about more than just education; it is about creating sustainable change, empowering healthcare clinicians, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, has access to quality heart care. Together, we can reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease and foster healthier communities across Missouri.
Cases: Positive Outcomes for Patients
The presentation of patient/client cases in ECHOs offers practical and valuable learning opportunities. Participants in ECHOs can share de-identified cases that pose diagnostic or management challenges. By presenting cases, individuals can learn from peers and receive guidance from expert mentors. This knowledge can then be applied to assist not only the patient in the case but also similar patients in participants’ practices.
Since 2014, close to 3,400 cases have been presented with 99% of those cases being from individuals from a health professions shortage area*. Some of these patients might have forgone treatment if they could not receive care through their primary care clinician. Thus, these cases increase access to specialty care for hundreds of Missourians.
Participant Perspective: Self-Efficacy & Satisfaction
Show-Me ECHO participants are asked to complete surveys about their satisfaction with the program and on their self-efficacy twice a year. Self-efficacy questions are designed to assess an individual’s belief in their ability to accomplish specific tasks or goals. It gauges the confidence a person has in their skills and abilities to overcome challenges or succeed in certain situations. The purpose is to assess how capable a person thinks they are in achieving success. Show-Me ECHO Participants regularly report increased confidence in their abilities following their attendance. Analysis of the 2023 and 2024 survey responses reveals statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy before and after attending ECHO programs. Additionally, 95% of respondents rate the overall ECHO experience as "Good" to "Excellent" (4 or 5 on a 5-point scale).
ECHO Participant Perspective: Hepatitis C ECHO Makes a Difference
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer. Although acute Hep C may cause mild symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, and muscle aches, chronic infection often shows no symptoms until significant liver damage occurs. In the past, treatment for Hepatitis C was lengthy and expensive, but now primary care clinicians can effectively treat Hep C with short, oral regimens. Early detection and treatment can prevent transmission and save lives. The CDC recommends universal screening for adults and pregnant individuals.
Of course, there will always be questions and unique patient circumstances—that is where a little help and support from Show-Me ECHO’s Hepatitis C Hub Team comes in handy.
Watch Sue Norris, NP discuss her experience participating in the Hepatitis C ECHO.
Coming in 2025
Coming in 2025
Cancer Survivorship ECHO - Improving Outcomes for Unique Patient Communities
Cancer survivorship refers to the phase of life after a person has completed their cancer treatment and is living with, through, or beyond cancer. This phase encompasses not only physical recovery but also the emotional, psychological, and social challenges that often follow a cancer diagnosis and treatment. While surviving cancer is a significant achievement, it brings its own set of unique challenges that necessitate specialized care. Cancer survivorship is a continuous and evolving journey, requiring a holistic approach to ensure the overall well-being of survivors. Show-Me ECHO will play a pivotal role in enhancing cancer survivorship care by fostering greater knowledge and collaboration among healthcare providers, ultimately improving the support and resources available to survivors.
Additional Information
Our staff is essential to advancing our mission of expanding healthcare access for Missouri citizens. Each team—Business, Clinical Liaisons, Knowledge Management, Education, Operations, and Partner Management—plays a crucial role in helping us achieve this goal. This year, we are focusing on the Operations team and the critical work they do to support MTN's largest program - Show-Me ECHO. In future reports, we will spotlight other teams, recognizing the collective effort that empowers us to achieve our goals. Together, these teams work seamlessly to create lasting impact for communities across Missouri.
Credits:
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