Electrocardiogram interpretation skills in pediatric residents

<b>Objective :</b> The primary objective of this study was to evaluate pediatric residents&#x2032; ability to correctly identify electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and pair them to a corresponding cardiac diagnosis. <b> Methods:</b> Forty-six pediatric residents from the Jo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Crocetti Michael (Author), Thompson Reid (Author)
Format: Book
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:<b>Objective :</b> The primary objective of this study was to evaluate pediatric residents&#x2032; ability to correctly identify electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and pair them to a corresponding cardiac diagnosis. <b> Methods:</b> Forty-six pediatric residents from the Johns Hopkins Children&#x2032;s Center were surveyed to evaluate their ability to interpret ECGs and factors affecting that ability. Included in the survey was a packet of 10 patient vignettes each accompanied by a 12-lead ECG. The primary outcome variable was the resident&#x2032;s score of correctly paired ECG findings with the appropriate cardiac diagnosis. One point was given for each pair correctly identified for a maximum of 10 points. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to estimate the magnitude and significance of any association between score of correct responses and resident year, completion of a pediatric cardiology rotation, self-rated ability to read ECGs, and training received in reading ECGs. <b> Results :</b> The mean number of correct ECG findings and cardiac diagnosis pairings out of 10 for the PGY 1 group was 4.1 &#177; 3, PGY 2 group 4.9 &#177; 2.9, PGY 3 group 6.6 &#177; 2, and the PGY 4 group 6.8 &#177; 1.7. In the unadjusted linear regression model, the PGY 3 group correctly identified 2.4 more pairings compared to the PGY 1 group (<i>P</i> =0.02). Those who completed a pediatric cardiology rotation correctly identified 2.5 more pairings compared to those who did not complete a rotation (<i>P</i>=0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> ECG interpretation significantly improved from PGY 1 to PGY 3. Educational programs involving ECG interpretation should target those diagnoses with high clinical severity and average to poor resident knowledge.
Item Description:0974-2069
0974-5149