Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This episode of the World Shared Practice Forum Podcast dives into the origins and objectives of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN), led by Dr. Lee Wallis at the World Health Organization. Discover how ACAN aims to integrate emergency, critical, and operative care to enhance healthcare systems globally, focusing on universal health coverage and preparedness for health emergencies. Dr. Wallis shares insights into the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment of ACAN, and its ambitious goals in the face of funding constraints. This episode is essential for healthcare professionals eager to understand global healthcare strategies and improve acute care delivery.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Explain the role and mission of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN) within the WHO
- Identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global healthcare systems and emergency care
- Discuss the five operational priorities set by ACAN for strengthening acute care
- Describe ACAN’s strategic partnership goals and membership framework
- Analyze how integrated emergency care can improve healthcare preparedness and response
AUTHORS
Lee Wallis, MBChB, PhD, PhD (hon), Dip IMC RCS Edin, Dip Sport Med,
FRCS Edin, FRCP Edin, FRCEM, FCEM(SA), FEMSSA, FIFEM
Lead, Emergency & Critical Care
World Health Organization
Jeffrey Burns, MD, MPH
Emeritus Chief
Division of Critical Care Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School
DATE
Initial publication date: April 21, 2025.
TRANSCRIPT
cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/t8nt2vwww6hxvkk58n5hgn3q/042125_WSP_Wallis_Transcript.pdf
Please visit: openpediatrics.org
OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.
For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu
Please note: OPENPediatrics does not support or control any related videos in the sidebar; these are placed by YouTube. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
CITATION
Wallis L, Burns JP. Enhancing Global Acute Care: Understanding the WHO’s ACAN. 04/2025. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. youtu.be/bevQXZ2nBIM.
This episode of the World Shared Practice Forum Podcast dives into the origins and objectives of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN), led by Dr. Lee Wallis at the World Health Organization. Discover how ACAN aims to integrate emergency, critical, and operative care to enhance healthcare systems globally, focusing on universal health coverage and preparedness for health emergencies. Dr. Wallis shares insights into the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment of ACAN, and its ambitious goals in the face of funding constraints. This episode is essential for healthcare professionals eager to understand global healthcare strategies and improve acute care delivery.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Explain the role and mission of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN) within the WHO
- Identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global healthcare systems and emergency care
- Discuss the five operational priorities set by ACAN for strengthening acute care
- Describe ACAN’s strategic partnership goals and membership framework
- Analyze how integrated emergency care can improve healthcare preparedness and response
AUTHORS
Lee Wallis, MBChB, PhD, PhD (hon), Dip IMC RCS Edin, Dip Sport Med,
FRCS Edin, FRCP Edin, FRCEM, FCEM(SA), FEMSSA, FIFEM
Lead, Emergency & Critical Care
World Health Organization
Jeffrey Burns, MD, MPH
Emeritus Chief
Division of Critical Care Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School
DATE
Initial publication date: April 21, 2025.
TRANSCRIPT
cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/t8nt2vwww6hxvkk58n5hgn3q/042125_WSP_Wallis_Transcript.pdf
Please visit: openpediatrics.org
OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.
For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu
Please note: OPENPediatrics does not support or control any related videos in the sidebar; these are placed by YouTube. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
CITATION
Wallis L, Burns JP. Enhancing Global Acute Care: Understanding the WHO’s ACAN. 04/2025. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. youtu.be/bevQXZ2nBIM.
