Founding Principles
Dee Armstrong’s firsthand experience with the inadequate care her grandmother and uncle received during their battles with Alzheimer’s disease and severe schizophrenia motivated her to make a difference in the healthcare system. In honor of her loved ones, Armstrong established the ECHO Project Management Group with the goal of advancing patient–centered medical research.
ECHO provides a platform for individuals to share their experiences with rare diseases, chronic health conditions, and mental illnesses, recognizing the significance of patients’ voices in shaping the future of healthcare. By gathering this valuable information, ECHO aims to improve patient services and contribute to the overall healthcare landscape for the benefit of all.
Patient–Centered Approach
ECHO stands out from other medical research companies because it prioritizes the needs of patients. The ECHO team goes above and beyond to establish and nurture strong relationships with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Unlike typical research firms, ECHO values the importance of treating each panel member with kindness and dignity. This dedication to personal connections helps ECHO expand its panel naturally and creates a special environment for research collaboration.
Advancing the Processes
Dee created ECHO to improve medical research by involving patients and caregivers who are willing to share their experiences with uncommon illnesses, medical problems, and mental illnesses. ECHO acts as a bridge between patients and the healthcare community, giving patients a voice and visibility that they may have previously lacked. The information they share about their diagnosis and treatment will be used by doctors, drug manufacturers, and other healthcare organizations to improve patient care and advance the healthcare industry. At ECHO, they believe in treating patients as individuals, not just numbers, and they strive to uphold these principles every day.
Diverse Study Methodologies
In addition to conducting interviews over the phone, in person, and at their facilities, ECHO goes the extra mile by visiting patients at their homes. This allows for a more intimate and detailed conversation about their conditions, as the comfort of their own environment often encourages patients to open up and share their experiences more freely.
Recognizing the power of technology and the internet, ECHO also utilizes online forums and focus groups as platforms for patients to share their stories and insights. These virtual spaces provide a sense of community and support, allowing patients to connect with others who may be going through similar experiences.
By participating in these online discussions, patients can not only share their own experiences but also learn from others and gain valuable insights into their own conditions. Understanding that different individuals may have different preferences and abilities when it comes to communication, ECHO explores alternative methods such as video descriptions and written stories.
Video descriptions can be particularly helpful for patients who may have visual impairments, as they provide a detailed narration of visual content. Written stories, on the other hand, allow patients to express their experiences in their own words, providing a more personal and authentic account. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of patients‘ experiences, ECHO combines different methods of data collection.
By utilizing a variety of approaches, they can gather a wide range of perspectives and insights. This comprehensive data allows ECHO to gain a deeper understanding of patients’ experiences, enabling them to develop more effective strategies for improving healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Your vision combined with our unique approach provides real results. Our business marketing consulting services are unmatched!
Understanding Balance
Work is similar to life, as it requires a delicate balance. Dee notices that although everyone needs to take breaks, business owners often feel guilty for not working when their doors are open. She says, “You eat, sleep, and breath your company. You take it from a concept, a baby if you will, and teach it how to eat and walk on its own.”
Dee considers that one has to relinquish control as he or she passes it off to the babysitter, aka coworkers, for care.
She mentions, “I had to learn that you must stop and recharge on your days off, and this is a MUST. I also drill this into the team as well. Rest when you can, as everyone needs to recharge and reset, and you must have time for self–care, family, and friends.”
Women in Healthcare
Women have made great progress. They can now dream and make their dreams come true. Dee believes that women can achieve anything they set their minds to, which was not always the case. Women are now being listened to, and ECHO is a company owned and operated by women. Dee, as a female leader, thinks that the most significant achievement of ECHO is how they reach medical patients with rare conditions through referrals from the healthcare industry.
They provide high–quality respondents to physicians and their clients. ECHO has exciting plans in the works, including services that will connect patients with similar conditions to offer support and feedback. Dee mentions that ECHO is a small but powerful company that is making significant progress in the future of healthcare, whether it’s medication, devices, or improving the patient experience.
Dee Armstrong, CEO: Orchestrating Success with Visionary Leadership and Unparalleled Charisma
Dee Armstrong is a motivated and passionate project manager who has 10 years of expertise in healthcare and medical market research. She is a strategic thinker who excels in creating and executing detailed project plans, as well as monitoring and overseeing project processes. Dee is skilled in ensuring timely and cost–effective deliverables by efficiently coordinating resources and manpower. Her approach to project management is focused on identifying the most effective business practices to enhance efficiency, minimize expenses, and boost productivity.
