Background: For both undergraduate and graduate medical students, understanding how to interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG) is essential. Accurate ECG interpretation influences the course of care for acute cardiovascular emergencies. The present study is aimed at assessing the competency in ECG interpretation among medical interns and residents of internal medicine and ER residents in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical interns and residents of internal medicine and ER residents at Taif University doing residency training programs in Taif Hospitals. ECG figures were selected from the ECG textbooks and ECG web blogs and were reviewed by two cardiologists. After the ECG strip selection, the reviewed structured questionnaires were distributed to the survey participants.
Results: A total of 163 medical interns and residents were included, of them, 79 (48.5%) were aged less than 25 years, and 84 (51.5%) were aged 25 years or more with a mean age of 25.1 ± 3.2 years. A total of 88 (54%) were females. A total of 59 (36.2%) had an overall high competency level with ECG, 79 (48.5%) had moderate ECG competency, and 25 (15.3%) had a low competency level. The overall competency score ranged from 1 to 10 with a mean score of 6.6 ± 1.9 points out of 10. Receiving training and having an ACLS course was significantly associated with a higher competence level.
Conclusion: The current study showed that medical interns and residents in Taif showed an average competence level regarding ECG interpretation with higher competence among those who were trained and received ACLS courses.
Key words: ECG competence, skills, awareness, interns, residents, undergraduate, practice, Saudi Arabia.
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