Katharina Echt PhD

Department of Medicine
Associate Professor

(404) 321-6111
kecht@emory.edu

Atlanta VA Health Care System
Decatur Research/ GRECC
3101 Clairmont Road

Overview

Dr. Echt is an Associate Professor in the Emory University Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology and a Research Health Scientist in the Department of Veterans Affairs. She holds secondary appointments in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at the Rollins School of Public Health and at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.

Dr. Echt's MS and PhD degrees are in Life-Span Developmental Psychology with a concentration in sensory and cognitive aging from the University of Georgia. Dr. Echt also holds a Gerontology Certificate from the University of Georgia. Her VA, NIH, CDC and industry sponsored research has focused on the sensory, cognitive and psychosocial determinants of older adults' health self-management capacities as targets for rehabilitation interventions. Her research has been specific to age-related disparities in health literacy, medication management and adherence, usability and usefulness of technology interventions and accessible health communication for older adults.

Dr. Echt is the Associate Director for Education and Evaluation of the VA Birmingham /Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and directs the Birmingham Atlanta GRECC Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics. Dr. Echt supervises PhD students and post-doctoral fellows including VA Career Development Awardees and trains a host of Associated Health Professional learners at the Atlanta and Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Academic Appointment

Associate Professor (Medicine, Geriatrics), Department of Medicine, Division of General Medicine & Geriatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Adjunct Assistant Professor (Nursing), Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Adjunct Assistant Professor (Public Health), Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
Health Research Scientist, Atlanta VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Center of Excellence

Education

Degrees

PhD from University of Georgia
Gerontology Certificate from University of Georgia
MS from University of Georgia
BA from Jacksonville University

Research

Focus

My research is focused on elucidating impacts of age-related changes in sensory, cognitive and psychosocial function on health self-management of aging patients. The goal is to inform interventions that foster health, independence and quality of life by maintaining/enhancing health literacy, medication adherence, and treatment decision-making vital to aging in place.

Publications

Evaluating Clinical Outcomes of Telehealth as Adjunct to In-Person Care for Older Adults with Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Research Studies.
Popul Health Manag Volume: 28 Page(s): 179 - 186
06/01/2025 Authors: Pea Garcia JI; Saiyed S; Gavaller M; Cabb E; Echt KV; Reardon EE; Rhee M; Syed Q
Scaling and spreading age-friendly care: Early lessons from the VA National Age-Friendly Action Community.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 73 Page(s): 583 - 591
02/01/2025 Authors: Schwartz AW; Munro S; Echt KV; Mirk A; Solberg LM; Wozneak K
A mobile telehealth program for behavioral treatment of urinary incontinence in women Veterans: Qualitative evaluation of MyHealtheBladder.
J Women Aging Volume: 36 Page(s): 475 - 491
01/01/2024 Authors: Burgio K; Echt K; Markland A; Enemchukwu E; Williams B
Impacts of COVID-19 on Health and Healthcare for Rural Veterans in Home-Based Primary Care.
J Appl Gerontol Volume: 43 Page(s): 47 - 58
01/01/2024 Authors: Yee P; Echt KV; Markland AD; Zubkoff L
Age-friendly care in the Veterans Health Administration: Past, present, and future.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 71 Page(s): 18 - 25
01/01/2023 Authors: Farrell TW; Volden TA; Butler JM; Eleazer GP; Rupper RW; Echt KV; Shaughnessy M; Supiano MA
ACTIVITY GOAL SETTING ON CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN FOR OLDER VETERANS RECEIVING CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Volume: 6 Page(s): 797 - 798
11/01/2022 Authors: Rogers C; Hackney M; Zubkoff L; Echt K
Role Reversal: In-Situ Simulation to Enhance the Value of Interprofessional Team-Based Care.
J Nurs Educ Volume: 61 Page(s): 595 - 598
10/01/2022 Authors: Muirhead L; Kaplan B; Childs J; Brevick I; Cadet A; Ibraheem Muhammad Y; Kemp L; Coffee-Dunning K; Echt KV
Social Determinants of Health: Considerations for Care of Older Veterans.
Nurs Clin North Am Volume: 57 Page(s): 329 - 345
09/01/2022 Authors: Muirhead L; Echt KV; Alexis AM; Mirk A
Perioperative Mobile Telehealth Program for Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
J Urol Volume: 208 Page(s): 379 - 387
08/01/2022 Authors: Goode PS; Johnson TM; Newman DK; Vaughan CP; Echt KV; Markland AD; Kennedy R; Van Arsdalen KN; Rais-Bahrami S; Issa MM
The use of patient-led goal setting in the intervention of chronic low back pain in adults: a narrative review.
Pain Manag Volume: 12 Page(s): 653 - 664
07/01/2022 Authors: Rogers CJ; Hackney ME; Zubkoff L; Echt KV
Heterogeneity in Vision, Hand Function, Cognition, and Health Literacy Among Older Veterans: Impacts, Outcomes, and Clinical Recommendations for First-Time Hearing Aid Users.
J Am Acad Audiol Volume: 32 Page(s): 355 - 365
06/01/2021 Authors: Saunders GH; Grush L; Vachhani J; Echt KV; Griest S; Lewis MS
A mobile telehealth program for behavioral treatment of urinary incontinence in women veterans: Development and pilot evaluation of MyHealtheBladder.
Neurourol Urodyn Volume: 39 Page(s): 432 - 439
01/01/2020 Authors: Goode PS; Markland AD; Echt KV; Slay L; Barnacastle S; Hale G; Wright MK; Lane TR; Burgio KL
The Body Position Spatial Task, a Test of Whole-Body Spatial Cognition: Comparison Between Adults With and Without Parkinson Disease.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair Volume: 32 Page(s): 961 - 975
11/01/2018 Authors: Battisto J; Echt KV; Wolf SL; Weiss P; Hackney ME
Patient discourse on chronic kidney disease monitoring: a qualitative study at a Veterans Affairs Renal Clinic.
BMC Nephrol Volume: 19 Page(s): 183
07/19/2018 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Echt KV; Johnson TM; Bowling CB
Academic Detailing with Provider Audit and Feedback Improve Prescribing Quality for Older Veterans.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 66 Page(s): 621 - 627
03/01/2018 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Echt KV; Kemp L; McGwin G; Perkins MM; Mirk AK
PERIOPERATIVE HOME TELEHEALTH PROGRAM FOR POST-PROSTATECTOMY INCONTINENCE
Volume: 36 Page(s): S167 - S168
07/01/2017 Authors: Goode P; Markland A; Barnacastle S; Wright MK; Redden D; Echt K; Colli J; Burgio K
Older Patients' Perspectives on Managing Complexity in CKD Self-Management.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Volume: 12 Page(s): 635 - 643
04/03/2017 Authors: Bowling CB; Vandenberg AE; Phillips LS; McClellan WM; Johnson TM; Echt KV
Association of Multimorbidity with Mortality and Healthcare Utilization in Chronic Kidney Disease.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 65 Page(s): 704 - 711
04/01/2017 Authors: Bowling CB; Plantinga L; Phillips LS; McClellan W; Echt K; Chumbler N; McGwin G; Vandenberg A; Allman RM; Johnson TM
Improving geriatric prescribing in the ED: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to clinical decision support tool use.
Int J Qual Health Care Volume: 29 Page(s): 117 - 123
02/01/2017 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Vaughan CP; Stevens M; Hastings SN; Powers J; Markland A; Hwang U; Hung W; Echt KV
COGNITIVE TRAINING AND MOTOR DUAL-TASK ABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 56 Page(s): 395 - 395
11/01/2016 Authors: Hall C; Sesay M; Echt K
Academic Detailing and Peer Benchmarking IMPROVE Prescribing Quality for Rural Older Veterans.
Volume: 64 Page(s): S143 - S144
05/01/2016 Authors: Mirk A; Kemp L; Echt K; Perkins M; Vandenberg AE
Evaluating use of a clinical decision support tool to improve quality of geriatric prescribing in the ED
Volume: 64 Page(s): S188 - S188
05/01/2016 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Vaughan C; Stevens M; Hastings SN; Powers J; Markland AD; Hwang U; Hung W; Echt K
Implementing the EQUiPPED Medication Management Program at 5 VA Emergency Departments.
Fed Pract Volume: 33 Page(s): 29 - 33
04/01/2016 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Stevens M; Echt KV; Hastings SN; Powers J; Markland A; Hwang U; Hung W; Belbis S; Vaughan CP
Polypharmacy Review of Vulnerable Elders: Can We IMPROVE Outcomes?
Fed Pract Volume: 33 Page(s): 39 - 41
03/01/2016 Authors: Mirk A; Echt KV; Vandenberg AE; Kemp L; Johnson TM; Perkins MM
ENGAGING RURAL VA CLINICS TO IMPROVE PRESCRIBING FOR OLDER VETERANS
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 55 Page(s): 786 - 786
11/01/2015 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Perkins MM; Kemp L; Echt KV; Mirk A
Multimodal Exercise Benefits Mobility in Older Adults With Visual Impairment: A Preliminary Study.
J Aging Phys Act Volume: 23 Page(s): 630 - 639
10/01/2015 Authors: Hackney ME; Hall CD; Echt KV; Wolf SL
Enhancing the Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Veterans Discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUiPPED): Preliminary Results from Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Veterans Discharged from the Emergency Department, a Novel Multicomponent Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiative.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 63 Page(s): 1025 - 1029
05/01/2015 Authors: Stevens MB; Hastings SN; Powers J; Vandenberg AE; Echt KV; Bryan WE; Peggs K; Markland AD; Hwang U; Hung WW
Can We IMPROVE prescribing for Rural Geriatric Veterans? Barriers and Strategies to Clinical Translation.
Volume: 63 Page(s): S73 - S73
04/01/2015 Authors: Mirk A; Kemp L; Echt KV; Vandenberg AE; Perkins M
Expansion of EQUiPPED: Two-site results from an initiative to improve prescribing quality in the Emergent Department
Volume: 63 Page(s): S101 - S101
04/01/2015 Authors: Stevens M; Hastings S; Powers J; Vandenberg A; Bryan W; Markland AD; McGwin G; Echt K; Hung W; Hwang U
Implementing EQUIPPED across five VA Emergency Departments
Volume: 63 Page(s): S178 - S178
04/01/2015 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Stevens M; Echt K; Hastings SN; Powers J; Markland AD; Hwang U; Hung W; Belbis S; Vaughan C
Implementing a Team-Based Medication Management Model for Older Veterans: Translating Evidence into Clinical Practice
Volume: 63 Page(s): S79 - S79
04/01/2015 Authors: Perkins M; Kemp L; Echt KV; Vandenberg AE; Johnson TM; Mirk AK
Video-based educational tool improves patient comprehension of common prostate health terminology.
Volume: 121 Page(s): 733 - 740
03/01/2015 Authors: Wang DS; Jani AB; Sesay M; Tai CG; Lee DK; Echt KV; Goodman MG; Kilbridge KE; Master VA
Impact of a hospice emergency kit for veterans and their caregivers: a prospective cohort study.
J Palliat Med Volume: 17 Page(s): 931 - 938
08/01/2014 Authors: Bailey FA; Williams BR; Goode PS; Woodby LL; Granstaff US; Echt KV; Redden DT; Kvale E; Burgio KL
Evaluating an Electronic Health-Record Medication Ordering Clinical Decision Support Tool: Needs and Barriers to Use
Volume: 62 Page(s): S186 - S186
03/01/2014 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Stevens M; Vaughan C; Hastings S; Powers J; Markland A; Hwang U; Hung W; Echt K
EQUiPPED: Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Elderly Veterans Discharged from the VA Emergency Department
Volume: 62 Page(s): S103 - S103
03/01/2014 Authors: Stevens M; Hastings SN; Powers J; Vandenberg A; Echt K; Bryan W; Peggs K; Markland A; Hwang U; Hung W
Severe lack of comprehension of common prostate health terms among low-income inner-city men.
Cancer Volume: 119 Page(s): 3204 - 3211
09/01/2013 Authors: Wang DS; Jani AB; Tai CG; Sesay M; Lee DK; Goodman M; Echt KV; Kilbridge KE; Master VA
Factors impacting decision by African American and underserved populations to choose active surveillance in earlystage prostate cancer
Volume: 31
05/20/2013 Authors: Gillespie TW; Petros J; Goodman M; Lipscomb J; Britan L; Rowell JL; Herrel LA; Echt KV
Integrated Management and Polypharmacy Review of Vulnerable Elders: Can we IMPROVE outcomes?
Volume: 61 Page(s): S92 - S92
04/01/2013 Authors: Mirk A; Kemp L; Echt KV; Perkins MM
SEVERE LACK OF COMPREHENSION OF COMMON PROSTATE HEALTH TERMINOLOGY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS
Volume: 189 Page(s): E170 - E170
04/01/2013 Authors: Wang D; Sesay M; Tai C; Lee D; Goodman M; Echt K; Kilbridge K; Jani A; Master V
FACTORS AFFECTING DECISION MAKING FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER
Volume: 189 Page(s): E224 - E224
04/01/2013 Authors: Herrel L; Echt KV; Lipscomb JL; Britan L; Goodman M; Gillespie TW; Petros JA
Dancing for balance: feasibility and efficacy in oldest-old adults with visual impairment.
Nurs Res Volume: 62 Page(s): 138 - 143
01/01/2013 Authors: Hackney ME; Hall CD; Echt KV; Wolf SL
PERCEIVED INFLUENCES ON EARLY STAGE PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT DECISION MAKING IN AT-RISK MEN: THE ROLE OF AGE, NUMERACY AND HEALTH LITERACY
Volume: 52 Page(s): 582 - 582
11/01/2012 Authors: Echt K; Gillespie TW; Petros JA; Lipscomb J; Herrell L; Britan L; Rowell J; Goodman M
Impact of a health communication intervention to improve glaucoma treatment adherence. Results of the interactive study to increase glaucoma adherence to treatment trial.
Arch Ophthalmol Volume: 130 Page(s): 1252 - 1258
10/01/2012 Authors: Glanz K; Beck AD; Bundy L; Primo S; Lynn MJ; Cleveland J; Wold JA; Echt KV
Better learning through instructional science: a health literacy case study in "how to teach so learners can learn".
Health Promot Pract Volume: 13 Page(s): 648 - 656
09/01/2012 Authors: Freedman AM; Echt KV; Cooper HLF; Miner KR; Parker R
Enhancing decision making for treatment options and active surveillance in prostate cancer
Volume: 30
05/20/2012 Authors: Gillespie TW; Rowell JL; Echt KV; Petros J; Lipscomb J; Britan L; Herrel LA; Goodman M
Physical and cognitive function in older men: is longitudinal study participation related to better functioning?
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 60 Page(s): 396 - 398
02/01/2012 Authors: Hackney ME; Burridge AB; Hawley KS; Spiro A; Echt KV
Application of adapted tango as therapeutic intervention for patients with chronic stroke.
J Geriatr Phys Ther Volume: 35 Page(s): 206 - 217
01/01/2012 Authors: Hackney ME; Hall CD; Echt KV; Wolf SL
Blast exposure and dual sensory impairment: an evidence review and integrated rehabilitation approach.
J Rehabil Res Dev Volume: 49 Page(s): 1043 - 1058
01/01/2012 Authors: Saunders GH; Echt KV
ADAPTED TANGO: FEASIBILITY AND EFFICACY IN OLDEST-OLD ADULTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 51 Page(s): 626 - 627
11/01/2011 Authors: Hackney ME; Hall C; Echt K; Wolf S
Cognitive and motor mechanisms underlying older adults' ability to divide attention while walking.
Phys Ther Volume: 91 Page(s): 1039 - 1050
07/01/2011 Authors: Hall CD; Echt KV; Wolf SL; Rogers WA
Amplifying diffusion of health information in low-literate populations through adult education health literacy classes.
J Health Commun Volume: 16 Suppl 3 Page(s): 119 - 133
01/01/2011 Authors: Freedman AM; Miner KR; Echt KV; Parker R; Cooper HLF
Longitudinal changes in hearing sensitivity among men: the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study.
J Acoust Soc Am Volume: 128 Page(s): 1992 - 2002
10/01/2010 Authors: Echt KV; Smith SL; Burridge AB; Spiro A
EFFECTS OF LONGITUDINAL STUDY PARTICIPATION ON PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDERADULTS
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 50 Page(s): 90 - 90
10/01/2010 Authors: Hackney M; Hawley K; Whitbourne S; Nadel LP; Spiro A; Echt K
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, ADHERENCE AND HEALTHCARE UTILIZATION IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND NORMALLY SIGHTED VETERANS
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 50 Page(s): 76 - 76
10/01/2010 Authors: Echt K; Williams MD; Nadel LP; Jasien CL; Burridge AB; Munir T; Phillips V; De l'Aune WR
An exploratory study of factors influencing glaucoma treatment adherence.
J Glaucoma Volume: 19 Page(s): 66 - 72
01/01/2010 Authors: Stryker JE; Beck AD; Primo SA; Echt KV; Bundy L; Pretorius GC; Glanz K
THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS ON MEDICATION MANAGEMENT AND ADHERENCE IN VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 49 Page(s): 113 - 113
10/01/2009 Authors: Nadel LP; Echt KV; De l'Aune WR; Williams MD; Jasien CL; Munir T; Lynch S
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND BARRIERS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 49 Page(s): 116 - 116
10/01/2009 Authors: Munir T; Echt KV; De l'Aune WR; Williams MD; Jasien CL; Nadel LP; Lynch S
LONGITUDINAL CHANGE IN VISUAL ACUITY AND EFFECTS ON COGNITION: THE VA NORMATIVE AGING STUDY
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 48 Page(s): 224 - 224
10/01/2008 Authors: Echt K; Backscheider-Burridge A; Jung J; Rougeux A; Hawley K; Whitbourne S; Spiro A
Models of reading performance in older adults with normal age-related vision.
J Rehabil Res Dev Volume: 45 Page(s): 901 - 910
01/01/2008 Authors: Nygaard RW; Echt KV; Schuchard RA
An overview of dual sensory impairment in older adults: perspectives for rehabilitation.
Trends Amplif Volume: 11 Page(s): 243 - 258
12/01/2007 Authors: Saunders GH; Echt KV
Factors associated with medication refill adherence in cardiovascular-related diseases: a focus on health literacy.
J Gen Intern Med Volume: 21 Page(s): 1215 - 1221
12/01/2006 Authors: Gazmararian JA; Kripalani S; Miller MJ; Echt KV; Ren J; Rask K
The everyday problem solving of older adults with high and low health literacy
Volume: 54 Page(s): S62 - S63
04/01/2006 Authors: Harlow EN; Echt K
Health literacy judgments: Accuracy of providers and patients.
Volume: 54 Page(s): S92 - S92
04/01/2006 Authors: Echt K; Johnson T; Houston B
Psychosocial aspects of low health literacy in aging
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 45 Page(s): 626 - 627
10/01/2005 Authors: Schroeder D; Echt K
Characterizing low health literacy in aging: Demographic, visual and cognitive factors
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 45 Page(s): 626 - 626
10/01/2005 Authors: Echt K; Schuchard R
Improving medication management in low health literate older adults
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 44 Page(s): 458 - 458
10/01/2004 Authors: Echt K; Majmundar M; Morrell R
Effect of health literacy on older adults' comprehension of spoken health information.
Volume: 52 Page(s): S186 - S186
04/01/2004 Authors: McEwan AJ; Echt KV
Improving the medication management capacity of low health literate older adults: Enhancing prescription signatures.
Volume: 52 Page(s): S46 - S46
04/01/2004 Authors: Majmundar MG; Echt K
Low health literacy in older adults: The role of visual, cognitive and psychosocial factors
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 43 Page(s): 459 - 459
10/01/2003 Authors: Echt K; Schuchard R; Schroeder D
Effect of health literacy on medicine management capacity in older adults.
Volume: 51 Page(s): S205 - S205
04/01/2003 Authors: Gokal KA; Echt K
Characterizing older adults with high and low health literacy
Volume: 43 Page(s): U1101 - U1101
05/01/2002 Authors: Echt KV; Schuchard RA; Schroeder DG
Exercise prescribing: computer application in older adults.
Gerontologist Volume: 42 Page(s): 273 - 277
04/01/2002 Authors: Kressig RW; Echt KV
Effectiveness of individualized exercise plans generated by a computerized exercise expert system
GERONTOLOGIST Volume: 41 Page(s): 124 - 124
10/01/2001 Authors: Lloyd A; Boyette LW; Echt KV
Impact of "accessible" bathing fixtures on transfer mobility of older adults.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY Volume: 49 Page(s): S87 - S88
04/01/2001 Authors: Sanford JA; Echt K
Development of an exercise expert system for older adults.
J Rehabil Res Dev Volume: 38 Page(s): 79 - 91
01/01/2001 Authors: Boyette LW; Lloyd A; Manuel S; Boyette JE; Echt KV

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