Accuracy of electrocardiogram interpretation improves with emergency medicine training

Hoyle, Rachel J; Walker, Katie; Thomson, Graeme; Bailey, Michael

doi:10.1111/j.1742-6723.2007.00946.x

Cited by 37 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The use and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) is widely accepted as an essential core skill in Emergency Medicine [1]. Electrocardiography is a commonly used procedure for the diagnosis of heart disease—ECG abnormalities may be the first indication of ischaemia, metabolic disturbance, or life-threatening arrhythmia [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore imperative that Emergency Physicians are expert in ECG interpretation when they exit their training programme. Specialist emergency physicians are known to improve patient outcomes for patients requiring urgent life saving interventions; previous authors have shown that ECG interpretation skills improve throughout the training programme in Emergency Medicine in Australia [1]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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ECG interpretation skills of South African Emergency Medicine residents

2010

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BackgroundThe use and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) are widely accepted as an essential core skill in Emergency Medicine. It is imperative that emergency physicians are expert in ECG interpretation when they exit their training programme.AimIt is unknown whether South African Emergency Medicine trainees are getting the necessary skills in ECG interpretation during the training programme. Currently there are no clear criteria to assess emergency physicians’ competency in ECG interpretation in South Africa.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study of Emergency Medicine residents and recently qualified emergency physicians was conducted between August 2008 and February 2009 using a focused questionnaire.ResultsAt the time of the study, there were 55 eligible trainees in South Africa. A total of 55 assessments were distributed; 50 were returned (91%) and 49 were fully completed (89%). In this study, we found the overall average score of ECG interpretation was 46.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.5–51.2%]. The junior group had an overall average of 42.2% (95% CI 36.9–47.5%), whereas the senior group managed 52.5% (95% CI 43.4–61.5%).ConclusionIn this prospective cross-sectional study of Emergency Medicine residents and recently qualified emergency physicians, we found that there was improvement in the interpretation of ECGs with increased seniority. There exists, however, a low level of accuracy for many of the critical ECG diagnoses. The average score of 46.4% obtained in this study is lower than the scores obtained by other international studies from countries where Emergency Medicine is a well-established speciality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ECG interpretation skills of South African Emergency Medicine residents

2010

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“…In order to make a rapid and accurate decision in some diseases such as myocard ischemia, severe electrolyte imbalance or life-threatening serious arrhythmias, clinicians should receive ECG training during their medical education (5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrocardiography Knowledge Levels of Pediatric Physician Residents and Interns and the Influencing Factors

Avcu¹,

Levent²

2015

jpr

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Aim: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the most commonly used method for determining the cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the ECG knowledge levels of pediatric residents and interns and to determine that how often the ECG education should be given in medical education. Materials and Methods:This study was carried out in the Ege University Medical Faculty, Children's Hospital of within 2009-2010 education-year. Twenty four residents and 35 rotating interns were included. A test consisting of 20 ECG patterns was applied to both groups. After this pre-evaluation, electrocardiology training was provided for both groups by a lecturer from pediatric cardiology department. After the training, the same test was presented to participants at one month and at one year. Results: Of the residents 16 (69.5%) were females and 7 (30.5%) were males. Seventeen (73.9%) of the assistants were Turkish citizens, 6 (26.1%) were foreign nationals. Three (13%) of the assistants were on their first year of residency, 8 (34.7%) were on the second year, 6 (26%) were on the third year and 6 (26%) were on the fourth year. The total correct findings ratios in both groups were significantly lower than the expected. The most frequently recognized ECG patterns were the normal ECG and sinus tachycardia. Respiratory arrhythmia and supraventricular tachycardia were the most frequently misinterpreted ECG patterns. Conclusion: Duration of ECG training in medical education and pediatric residency should be enhanced and clinical practice should be expanded by the use of different methods to accurate ECG interpretation.

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“…7,19 Accuracies for the individual ECG diagnoses in our study were similar to those reported in a recent Australian study. 12 The low diagnostic accuracy for some ECG patterns suggests that knowledge deficits may have been just as important as cognitive bias in contributing to diagnostic error. This is supported by the finding that the effect of seniority was similar to that of biased clinical history on the accuracy of ECG interpretation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%