Interactive Multimodal Curriculum on Use and Interpretation of Inpatient Telemetry

• Main Authors: Sarah Chuzi (Author), Eric P. Cantey (Author), Erin Unger (Author), James E. Rosenthal (Author), Aashish Didwania (Author), William C. McGaghie (Author), Stuart Prenner (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Association of American Medical Colleges, 2018-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10730; 2374-8265
• Keywords: Cardiac Arrhythmias; Cardiology; Hospital Medicine; Telemetry; Medicine (General); R5-920; Education; L
• Source: MedEdPORTAL, Vol 14 (2018)

Introduction Inpatient telemetry monitoring is a commonly used technology designed to detect and monitor life-threatening arrhythmias. However, residents are rarely educated in the proper use and interpretation of telemetry monitoring. Methods We developed a training module containing an educational video, PowerPoint presentation, and hands-on interactive learning session with a telemetry expert. The module highlights proper use of telemetry monitoring, recognition of telemetry artifact, and interrogation of telemetry to identify clinically significant arrhythmias. Learners completed pre- and postcurriculum knowledge-based assessments and a postcurriculum survey on their experience with the module. In total, the educational curriculum had three 60-minute sessions. Results Thirty-two residents participated in the training module. Residents scored higher on the posttest (77% ± 12%) than on the pretest (70% ± 12%), t(31) = −4.3, p < .001. Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated PGY-3s performed better on the posttest (Mdn = 0.86) than on the pretest (Mdn = 0.72), z = −2.19, p = .031. PGY-2s also performed better on the posttest (Mdn = 0.86) than on the pretest (Mdn = 0.76), z = −2.04, p = .042. There was no difference between pretest (Mdn = 0.66) and posttest (Mdn = 0.71) scores for PGY-1s, z = −1.50, p = .142. The majority of residents reported that the telemetry curriculum boosted their self-confidence, helped prepare them to analyze telemetry on their patients, and should be a required component of the residency. Discussion This module represents a new paradigm for teaching residents how to successfully and confidently interpret and use inpatient telemetry.