Project ECHO (Effective Conversations for Healthcare Optimization) was born from a critical recognition: millions of patients in the U.S. encounter communication barriers in healthcare due to limited English proficiency (LEP), resulting in lower quality care and worse health outcomes. Founded by a collaborative team from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Applied Physics Laboratory, we address the gap in culturally responsive communication training.
Our platform combines AI-driven simulation technology with evidence-based communication principles to create realistic training scenarios. By helping healthcare providers build empathy, trust, and rapport with LEP patients, we're working toward a healthcare system where "hearing is not listening" - where true understanding transcends language barriers and cultural differences.