WHO-ICRC Basic Emergency Care: Approach to the Acutely ill and injured

A systematic approach to emergency conditions saves lives, even when specialised care is not available. To this end, the WHO, in collaboration with the ICRC and IFEM, developed the BEC course for first-contact health workers who manage acute life-threatening conditions with limited resources. This course introduces a systematic approach to managing time-sensitive critical conditions even before a diagnosis is known. The WHO/ICRC BEC Course introduces a practical and systematic management approach to emergency conditions divided into five modules: the ABCDE approach, trauma, difficulty in breathing, shock and altered mental status. It also includes content on handover and medications.

Since its launch in 2015, the BEC course has been taught worldwide using a 5-day structure delivery through lectures, workbook questions, small group case scenarios, multiple choice questions and skills stations. These modules on the Open WHO provide the essential knowledge covered in the 5-day course. The content is meant to be used as refresher material or as a ‘just-in-time’ educational resource.