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Are electrocardiograms correctly interpreted by pediatric residents? Experience before and after an educational
Georgina Bergero1, Melina J Saavedra2, Marina Guglielmino3
1Servicio de Clínica Pediátrica, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Argentina. bergerogeorgina@gmail.com.
Insights
Pediatric residents showed no improvement in identifying normal versus abnormal electrocardiograms (ECG). However, an educational module significantly enhanced their ability to make definitive ECG diagnoses, improving patient care for pediatric cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Medical Education
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric cardiac arrest incidence is unknown, with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and arrhythmias as primary causes.
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are crucial for early detection of cardiac abnormalities, potentially reducing pediatric morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pediatric residents' proficiency in ECG interpretation (normal vs. abnormal) and diagnosis.
- To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on residents' ECG diagnostic skills.
Main Methods:
- First-year pediatric residents underwent ECG interpretation assessments before and after an educational module.
- The assessment comprised 12 ECG tracings, with scores compared using paired t-tests.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was found in distinguishing normal from abnormal ECGs (p=0.42).
- A statistically significant improvement was observed in the accuracy of definitive electrocardiographic diagnoses (p<0.002) post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- While basic ECG interpretation skills did not change, targeted education effectively improved pediatric residents' diagnostic accuracy.
- Educational modules are valuable for enhancing electrocardiographic diagnostic capabilities in pediatric residents, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The incidence of pediatric cardiac arrest is unknown; its main etiologies are congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, and ventricular arrhythmias. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic method that may allow to detect them in an early manner and reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe pediatric residents' skills to determine if an ECG was normal or abnormal and make an accurate electrocardiographic diagnosis before and after an educational intervention. First-year pediatric residents participated in this study. An assessment including 12 ECG tracings was done before and after an educational module, and scores were compared using the t-test for paired data. No differences were observed between both assessments regarding the interpretation of ECG as normal or abnormal (p: 0.42). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in definitive diagnoses (p < 0.002). Definitive electrocardiographic diagnoses improved after the implementation of an educational module.
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