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Longitudinal email-based electrocardiogram interpretation curriculum for paediatric residents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2024

Margaret Van Der Bosch Open the ORCID record for Margaret Van Der Bosch [Opens in a new window]  and
Megan Soohoo Open the ORCID record for Megan Soohoo [Opens in a new window]
Margaret Van Der Bosch*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
Megan Soohoo
Affiliation:
Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
*
Corresponding author: Margaret Van Der Bosch; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Electrocardiograms are frequently obtained in infants and children. Training specific to paediatric electrocardiogram interpretation is necessary given that cardiac physiology and electrocardiogram findings in children are different than adults and change throughout infancy and childhood. Distributed practice may be an effective method to improve paediatric residency electrocardiogram education efforts.

Methods:

A pre-survey was administered to paediatric and internal medicine/paediatrics residents to ascertain baseline comfort with electrocardiogram interpretation. Subsequently, residents were emailed a clinical vignette with an associated electrocardiogram and multiple-choice question 1–2 times monthly. After submitting their answer, residents were taken to a webpage explaining key concepts explored in the clinical vignette. After 6 and 12 months, a survey was administered asking residents to again rate their confidence in the same electrocardiogram interpretation skills.

Results:

The longitudinal email-based curriculum increased exposure to electrocardiogram training. Six months of participation in the curriculum correlated with significant increases in confidence in electrocardiogram interpretation skills. While there was no further increase in confidence seen at 12 months, the improvement seen at 6 months was durable. Participation in the curriculum most significantly correlated with changes in confidence in ability to utilise a stepwise approach for electrocardiogram interpretation.

Conclusions:

The curriculum resulted in durable improvement in confidence in electrocardiogram interpretation skills for paediatric residents at our centre, suggesting that email-based distributive practice can be an effective method for skill and knowledge improvement for complex educational topics.

Keywords

Electrophysiologyeducationlearning aidsCHDarrhythmia
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 34 , Issue 11 , November 2024 , pp. 2311 - 2315
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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