ECG Bootcamp - A Novel Emergency Medicine Small Group Session

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiology

Background:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a critical skill for emergency physicians, yet standardized training is often lacking in residency programs.
• The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education mandates ECG interpretation competency for emergency medicine (EM) residents.
• Gamification is increasingly used in medical education to improve engagement and knowledge retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a gamified curriculum, the "ECG Bootcamp," to enhance ECG interpretation skills among EM residents and medical students.
• To address the identified gap in standardized ECG training within EM residency programs.
• To improve learner engagement and knowledge retention in critical ECG concepts.

Main Methods:

• A small-group learning environment was utilized with a high faculty-to-student ratio.
• The "ECG Bootcamp" incorporated gamification through interactive stations, including competitive games and a simulation case.
• Spaced learning principles were integrated to reinforce understanding of cardiac pathology.
• Post-participation anonymous online surveys assessed educational content quality and delivery method efficacy.

Main Results:

• 100% of respondents rated the small group game sessions and simulation case a 10 out of 10 for effectiveness.
• The gamified approach successfully engaged learners across different training levels.
• Feedback indicated the curriculum met educational needs for ECG interpretation.

Conclusions:

• The "ECG Bootcamp" is an effective model for improving standardized ECG interpretation in emergency medicine residency.
• Gamification and spaced repetition enhance learner engagement and solidify understanding of challenging cardiac pathology.
• This framework is adaptable to other clinical topics, promoting dynamic and retentive learning in postgraduate medical education.