ECHO PSP: Piloting the use of the ECHO model to promote recovery and return-to-work among public safety personnel in Ontario

Public safety personnel and care providers are invited to tell us what topics should be covered in the curriculum. To provide your input, please fill out our short survey

To learn more about the program, or to be notified when registration opens, please contact us at echopsp@iwh.on.ca.

Reasons for the study

A high incidence of occupational mental health injury among public safety personnel (PSP) puts them at risk of work disability and poor recovery and return-to-work (RTW) outcomes.

Clinicians in primary care, including psychologists, family physicians, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatrists, often lack the opportunity to better understand PSP's unique work cultures and, as a result, are unable to optimize their support of PSP at work or when returning to work after an illness or injury.

This study is piloting the use of the ECHO methodology in Ontario to establish a community of practice among clinicians and stakeholders who support PSP in reintegration and return to work. The community of practice will build their understanding of the PSP workplace culture, thus allowing them to offer better support to PSP following a work-related injury.

Objectives of the study

  • Pilot a Project ECHO community of practice in Ontario on recovery and return to work among PSP (including firefighters, paramedics, police, communications and corrections personnel)
  • Train experts to participate as core members
  • Recruit health-care providers in primary care, occupational health and mental health to attend and present cases at ECHO PSP sessions
  • Evaluate the implementation and performance of ECHO PSP in Ontario 

Target audience

Clinicians in primary care, including psychologists, family physicians, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatrists; injured workers; workplace parties

Project status

Ongoing

Research team

Collaborators and partners

ECHO Ontario Superhub
ECHO Institute at the University of New Mexico. 

Funded by

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board