Improving emergency care capacity with the WHO-ICRC Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course

Background

Globally, the demand for acute care is surging, disproportionately burdening low- and middle-income countries. Training for healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in reducing related mortality and improving overall health and well-being, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the potential for impact, the World Health Organization- International Committee of the Red Cross (WHO-ICRC) Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course is yet to be fully rolled out in Francophone African nations such as Cameroon, Djibouti, Haiti, Morocco, and Tunisia. In this paper, we describe the introduction of this training in these countries.

Methods

This study utilized pre- and post-course surveys to gauge change in knowledge and confidence in delivering acute care. A comprehensive 4-day French BEC course and a concise 1-day Training of Trainer (ToT) course were delivered in Yaounde, Cameroon, in early 2023. Participants undertook surveys pre- and post-training, offering insights into their acute care knowledge, skills, and self-assurance.

Results

The courses were attended by 50 participants. The post-course evaluation highlighted a marked improvement in scores, showcasing a median score elevation from 72% pre-course to 88% post-course (p < 0.001). Participants’ self-confidence in handling acute care scenarios doubled. Universal acclaim was received for the quality of training materials, courses, and facilitation methodology, with nearly half feeling no amendment was necessary in the course design. However, 30% felt a longer duration should be dedicated to the practical/skills components of the course.

Conclusions

The WHO-ICRC BEC course significantly enhanced the acute care knowledge, skills, and self-confidence of participants from these five countries, laying a solid foundation for future training sessions. Provisional trainers are now proficient in expanding such training within their regions. Evaluating patient outcomes post-training presents significant challenges, highlighting a crucial area for future research and scrutiny.