The Impact of Two Hours of Electrocardiogram Teaching on Knowledge and Confidence

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation remains suboptimal among medical students and doctors in clinical practice. This study assessed the impact of a short period of ECG teaching provided to medical students on completion of their academic curriculum, focusing on specific aspects of ECG interpretation. Objectives The primary outcome was the impact on students’ knowledge. The secondary outcome was the impact on confidence in ECG interpretation. Methods Prospective cohort study of the impact of 2 hours of ECG teaching delivered by Cardiology trainees to final year medical students. Standardised 10 question examinations were given before and after the session. Questionnaires were given to assess confidence in ECG interpretation. Results Of 150 students who received teaching, 141 completed the pre-course examination and 139 completed the post-course examination (mean age 25.1 years; 55.5% female; 81.1% undergraduate). There was a statistically significant improvement in results after the course (p value < 0.001). The improvement was most significant in the assessment of heart rate and STEMI identification. There was a deterioration in the identification of spot diagnosis ECGs (p value 0.02). Thirty-nine students completed feedback questionnaires. There was a statistically significant improvement in confidence in ECG interpretation (p value < 0.001). Conclusions This study showed an improvement in both ECG knowledge and confidence in ECG interpretation following 2 hours of teaching. The assessment of simple concepts such as heart rate improved more significantly than complex concepts such as conduction abnormalities. Our findings suggest a benefit from dedicated ECG revision programmes with different methodologies used to teach different aspects of ECG interpretation.