What is Project ECHO® Ontario Skin and Wound Care?

Project ECHO® Ontario Skin and Wound is a province-wide learning community for Ontario-based health care providers with an interest in skin and wound care. Using the internationally recognized Project ECHO model—moving knowledge, not patients—the program connects community clinicians with an interprofessional team of experts through live, virtual sessions that blend brief didactic teaching with participant-led, de-identified case discussions.

Project ECHO stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes. Originally developed at the University of New Mexico, the ECHO model is designed to democratize medical knowledge and reduce health inequities by expanding the capacity of local providers to deliver high-quality care where patients live. Today, Project ECHO includes more than 1,500 hubs worldwide, supporting over 100 diseases and conditions across more than 200 countries.

Project ECHO® Ontario Skin and Wound is led by WoundPedia, in partnership with Queen’s University and Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC). Together, these organizations form the academic hub that supports community-based providers through guided practice, shared learning, and ongoing mentorship. The program’s vision is optimal wound care for all Ontarians, ensuring that health care providers across the province have the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to manage wounds safely and effectively.

Participants engage in regularly scheduled, interactive online sessions where they learn from specialists, collaborate with peers, and apply evidence-informed approaches directly to clinical practice. This model strengthens professional networks, supports interprofessional collaboration, and helps translate knowledge into meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and supported by a comprehensive evaluation framework led by Queen’s University, Project ECHO® Ontario Skin and Wound is committed to accountability, continuous learning, and system-wide impact. By building local expertise and fostering a strong community of practice, the program plays a key role in advancing high-quality, equitable skin and wound care across Ontario.