- Author UQ Centre for Online Health
- Publish date 10 December 2025
- Type Report
- Documents
- Health service delivery
- Education
Summary
This final report presents the outcomes of the CRCNA-funded telehealth services program delivered by the University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health between 2023 and 2025. The project aimed to strengthen the capability of healthcare providers across northern Australia to deliver mental health services and to expand the use of telehealth in regional and remote health systems.
Using the Project ECHO tele-mentoring model, the program connected regional clinicians with specialist mentors through regular online learning sessions and case-based discussions. Two dedicated programs were delivered: Health eMinds ECHO, focused on mental health and wellbeing, and Telehealth Skills ECHO, focused on practical telehealth implementation. These were supported by in-person and virtual training workshops, site visits and engagement with national telehealth conferences.
Across the three-year program, 47 ECHO sessions and nine telehealth training workshops were delivered, engaging more than 1,500 health professionals from across northern Australia and beyond. Participants reported improved skills, increased confidence in delivering telehealth-enabled care and stronger professional networks that helped reduce the sense of isolation experienced by many rural and remote practitioners.
The program also demonstrated significant economic benefits. Delivering education through the ECHO model avoided substantial travel and conference costs, generating estimated savings of between $3.6 million and $12.9 million compared with delivering equivalent training in person. Additional savings were realised through locally delivered telehealth skills workshops.
Overall, the project has strengthened telehealth capability, improved access to specialist knowledge and enhanced collaboration across health services in northern Australia. The report highlights the value of tele-mentoring models for building a more connected, confident and sustainable regional health workforce.
Projects
Project ECHO: Health eMinds and Telehealth Skills
Project ECHO The CRCNA, in partnership with the University of Queensland Centre for Online Health has developed two unique ECHO projects targeting Northern Australian healthcare workers. These are: Health eMinds ECHO Telehealth Skills ECHO Based on the Project ECHO model, we will deliver free monthly online sessions open to all healthcare professionals and staff working in Northern Australia. Project ECHO ® (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) is a virtual knowledge-sharing network designed to create a ‘learning loop’ between healthcare professionals and healthcare workers with the aim of increasing knowledge and access to quality healthcare in local communities. Project ECHO is an interactive model of collaborative learning through case discussions. In ECHO, professionals from across Northern Australia, including those in rural or under-served areas gain access to a panel of specialists through regular videoconferencing sessions. At every session, participants present de-identified cases for group discussion and gain advice from specialty experts, as well as other peers in the network. The group of multi-disciplinary healthcare workers form a community of practice, which serves as a sustainable mechanism for ongoing knowledge sharing and mentorship. Visit crcna.com.au/project-echo for all the information! Health eMinds ECHO The Health eMinds ECHO is a series of free, interactive case-based virtual mentoring sessions which address a range of topics related to the delivery of mental healthcare- in a range of healthcare settings across Northern Australia. Health eMinds ECHO sessions are open to anyone working in the delivery of mental health services in Northern Australia, including clinicians, front line and community support workers and allied healthcare workers. The CRCNA understands building a collaborative and interactive network of mental health care professionals and healthcare workers is an important part of improving service delivery and access to new models of care, especially for those in rural and remote and First Nations contexts. The Healthy eMinds ECHO is also about supporting mental healthcare workers, connecting peers and creating a community of best practice to inform high-quality care in the north. Access more information, including registration and resources for the Health eMinds ECHO Telehealth Skills ECHO The Telehealth Skills ECHO is a series of free, interactive case-based virtual mentoring sessions which address a range of topics related to the delivery of telehealth – in a range of healthcare settings. Telehealth Skills ECHO sessions are open to anyone working in healthcare in Northern Australia who are using or are considering implementing telehealth services. Access more information, including registration and resources for the Telehealth Skills ECHO