About EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice (MDTP) Europe
The EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice (MDTP) Europe program offers a unique educational experience and networking opportunity for healthcare professionals worldwide. It is designed for those currently involved in clinical work or planning to work with clients with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), with the aim of improving their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD and associated symptoms and conditions.
Through a comprehensive series of modules, the program will explore patient care in EDS and HSD across the breadth of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and allied healthcare practice.
The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to enhance the assessment and management of EDS and HSD, while also promoting collaboration and networking for clinical support.
What is Case-Based Learning?
The ECHO model uses case-based learning. Participants can either ask specific questions or they can present de-identified cases from their own practice where there is a concern about any aspect of the diagnosis or management of EDS and HSD or their complications. The session group, with expert specialist support discuss the cases and provide guidance. All are encouraged to participate if they feel able.
What if I Can't Attend a Session?
In order to obtain the most benefit from the program, participants are encouraged to attend as many live sessions as possible. You will be able to catch up on the sessions you miss by watching the password protected session content which will be made available to participants through the Ehlers-Danlos Society’s resources page after each session. However, please note that CME Credits can only be claimed for attendance at live sessions.
Can I Earn CME Credits?
CME/CEU/CE credits are available to healthcare professionals. Credits are awarded at 1 per 60 minutes of live session activity.
Please note that CME/CEU/CE Credits can only be claimed for attendance at live sessions.
An Ehlers-Danlos Society EDS ECHO ‘Certificate of Attendance’ can also be provided upon request.
Program Fees
Participants can choose which modules they wish to attend – although participants are encouraged to attend the module ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ if they are new to EDS and HSD.
Each module costs $30 USD per participant to attend.
Program Curriculum and Structure
The program is structured into five themed modules over two years. Each module is facilitated and supported by a team of core colleagues and specialists, ensuring a wide range of expertise to foster discussions and promote multidisciplinary networking.
The facilitators for this program are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Hakim and Prof. Jane Simmonds from London, UK.
Each module comprises six sessions, with each session featuring expert presentations and interactive case-based discussions conducted virtually through the Zoom platform, with each session lasting 1hr 30 minutes in length.
Participants are encouraged to attend all the modules but do have the flexibility to select those that most align with their interests and needs, although it is recommended that those new to EDS and HSD attend the ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ module.
Details about the program modules, topics, dates, and times are provided below.
Participants are encouraged to actively participate by sharing their cases and questions during the sessions, and they will be guided toward additional resources and support.
Program Aims and Objectives:
The program is suitable for healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions. In addition to gaining expertise in EDS and HSD diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and the latest evidence-based insights, participants will also be able to network and foster collaboration. These collaborative efforts are at the core of the program, underscoring the importance of working collectively with colleagues from various healthcare disciplines. The aims and objectives are:
- Recognition and Diagnosis: enhancing confidence in recognizing the different types of EDS and HSD, how to diagnose them, and when and where to refer.
- Assessment and Treatment: appreciating the assessment and treatment options for managing EDS and HSD and their comorbidities. The program will explore the evidence for association and causation in these comorbidities and understand how they impact assessment and treatment choices and adaptations. Participants will learn about various tools and methods, to assist in managing patients’ conditions, all aiming to improve patient outcomes.
- Research Insight: gaining insight into the clinical and basic science questions that currently influence the field’s research objectives, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in EDS and HSD.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: valuing the multidisciplinary team in best practice management, encouraging participants to work collaboratively with colleagues from the many and varied healthcare disciplines involved in the care of people with EDS and HSD.
How to Register?
The program structure, dates and times, and ticket options are shown below. On completing the ticket option, you will be taken to the registration form.
This is a virtual course using the Zoom platform. It is run from London, UK, and is open for registration to healthcare professionals worldwide.
(Please visit https://www.worldtimebuddy.com, or your preferred time zone converter to confirm the correct start time in your location)
If you have questions about the registration process please contact us at [email protected]
Program Schedule for 2025:
| Session |
Program: EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice Europe |
Clinical Lead: Dr. Alan Hakim Date & Time: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm GMT / 7:30pm – 9:00pm CET |
| 1 | Mast Cell Activation and Inflammation | February 18, 2025 |
| 2 | Autonomic Dysfunction – Session 1: Cardiovascular Autonomic Disorders – Medical Management |
February 25, 2025 |
| 3 | Autonomic Dysfunction – Session 2: Role of AHPs in Assessment and Management |
March 4, 2025 |
| 4 | Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Nutrition – Session 1: GI Disorders and Medical Assessment and Management |
March 11, 2025 |
| 5 | Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Nutrition – Session 2: Nutrition Assessment and Support |
March 18, 2025 |
| 6 | Urological and Gynaecological Concerns | March 25, 2025 |
| Session |
Program: EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice Europe |
Clinical Lead: Dr. Jane Simmonds |
| 1 |
Ankle and Foot Pathology: Conservative vs Surgical |
October 7, 2025 |
| 2 |
Thoracic Spine, Thorax and Breathing Dysfunction |
October 14, 2025 |
| 3 |
Lumbosacral Spine Pain and Dysfunction |
October 21, 2025 |
| 4 |
Pelvic Floor Disorders: Conservative vs Surgical |
October 28, 2025 |
| 5 | Hip Pathology and Management: Conservative vs Surgical | November 4, 2025 |
| 6 | Knee Pathology and Management: Conservative vs Surgical | November 11, 2025 |
PLEASE NOTE – Session topics, guest speakers and dates are subject to change.
The program content is currently only presented in English. Automated closed captioning is available during the Zoom sessions.
This is a virtual program, you will be sent a link to join the sessions which are run via the zoom platform.
For all queries regarding EDS ECHO, please email our EDS ECHO Program Coordinator.
Choose from the options below to register for a place on the EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice Europe Program.
- After making your ticket(s) selection, click ‘Get Tickets’. You will then be asked to complete a registration form for each ticket you have purchased.
- Registration for each program/module will close 24 hours prior to its first session or when full.
- Please note – In order to register, you need to be logged in to your website account. Once you are logged in, you will have the ability to add tickets to your basket. Please click here to log in/register for your Ehlers-Danlos Society website account. Once you have logged in, please revisit this page to register.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The Ehlers-Danlos Society and Project ECHO®. Project ECHO® is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
AMA Designation Statement
An application has been submitted to Project ECHO® for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per session.
Disclosure Statement
Project ECHO®, in compliance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, requires that anyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships they have had within the last 24 months with an ineligible company.
None of the planners and presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Alan Hakim, Assoc. Prof. MD; Stacey Simmonds; Paul Gardener; Kellen Roach; Lara Bloom, Prof; Jane Simmonds, Prof;
