ECG Knowledge Levels of Pediatric Physician Assistants and Interns and the Influencing Factors

INTRODUCTION: ECG is the most commonly used method for determining the cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to assess the ECG knowledge levels of pediatric physician assistants and interns and to determine that how often the ECG education should be given in medical education.
METHODS: This study was carried out in the Children’s Hospital of Ege University Medical Faculty within 2009– 2010 education-year. 24 pediatric assistants and 35 rotating interns were included. They were asked to complete a questionnaire in 20 minutes. After this pre-training evaluation, electrocardiology training was provided for both groups by a lecturer from pediatric cardiology department. After the training, the same test was presented to participants at one month and at one year.
RESULTS: Of the assistants 16 (69.5%) were females and 7 (30.5%) were males. 17 (73.9%) of the assistants were Turkish citizens, 6 (26.1%) were foreign nationals. 3 (13%) of the assistants were one-year assistants, 8(34.7%) were two-year assistants, 6 (26%) were three-year assistants and 6 (26%) were four-year assistants. The total correct findings ratios in both groups were significantly lower than the expected. The most frequently recognized ECG patterns were the normal ECG and sinus tachycardia. Respiratory arrhythmia and SVT were the most frequently misinterpreted ECG patterns.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Duration of ECG training in medical education and pediatric residency should be enhanced and clinical practice should be expanded by the use of different methods to accurate ECG interpretation.