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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
ECG interpretation skills of South African Emergency Medicine residents
International Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 3, No. 4, Year 2010
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Description
Background: The use and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) are widely accepted as an essential core skill in Emergency Medicine. It is imperative that emergency physicians are expert in ECG interpretation when they exit their training programme. Aim: It is unknown whether South African Emergency Medicine trainees are getting the necessary skills in ECG interpretation during the training programme. Currently there are no clear criteria to assess emergency physicians' competency in ECG interpretation in South Africa. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of Emergency Medicine residents and recently qualified emergency physicians was conducted between August 2008 and February 2009 using a focused questionnaire. Results: At the time of the study, there were 55 eligible trainees in South Africa. A total of 55 assessments were distributed; 50 were returned (91%) and 49 were fully completed (89%). In this study, we found the overall average score of ECG interpretation was 46.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.5-51.2%]. The junior group had an overall average of 42.2% (95% CI 36.9-47.5%), whereas the senior group managed 52.5% (95% CI 43.4-61.5%). Conclusion: In this prospective cross-sectional study of Emergency Medicine residents and recently qualified emergency physicians, we found that there was improvement in the interpretation of ECGs with increased seniority. There exists, however, a low level of accuracy for many of the critical ECG diagnoses. The average score of 46.4% obtained in this study is lower than the scores obtained by other international studies from countries where Emergency Medicine is a well-established speciality. © The Author(s) 2010.
Authors & Co-Authors
De Jager, Japie
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Wallis, Lee A.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Maritz, David
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Statistics
Citations: 44
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s12245-010-0227-3
ISSN:
18651372
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
South Africa