Competency in ECG Interpretations among Graduating Medical Students: Experience from two Ethiopian Medical Schools

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Date

2019-08

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Addis Abeba University

Abstract

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the graphical display of electrical potential differences of an electric field originating in the heart. It is a commonly used procedure for the diagnosis of heart disease. Interpretation of ECG is a core clinical skill in emergency and critical care medicine. Only a few studies have been performed to evaluate the ECG interpretation skills of general practitioners worldwide. There is no study published until now in Ethiopia on the competence of ECG interpretation among graduating medical students. Objective: To assess competency of ECG interpretation among 2018 graduating Class medical students in Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on graduating medical students at Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Data had collected from October 01, 2018, to October 30, 2018, by using structured questionnaires. Data were entered, cleaned, edited and analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabs, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, and Binary logistic regression were utilized. Results: 202 graduating medical students were involved on this study, out of this 61.3% (95% CI 56.3 – 66.3%) and 32.75% (95% CI 28.25-37.25) were able to correctly interpret the primary ECG parameters and the arrest rhythm of ECG abnormalities, respectively. The ability to detect from common emergency ECG abnormalities were Anterio septal ST segment elevation myocardial infraction, atrial fibrillation and first-degree atrioventricular block were 42.6%, 39.1% and 32.1% respectively. Conclusion: This study showed graduating medical students had low competency in ECG interpretations.

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Keywords

Competency, ECG abnormalities, ECG interpretation, Graduating medical students

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