Competencies in electrocardiographic interpretation in Medical Students at a Licensed University in Peru

Alexander Peña Corrales F.; Michael Virú-Flores H.; Alburqueque-Melgarejo J.; Armando Guerra Cuyutupac I.; Guerra Valencia J.; Eugenia Aguirre Coronado M.; Veralucia Saldaña Diaz C.; Carlos Roque-Quezada J. · Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar (2024)

Resumen

Introduction: The interpretation of the electrocardiogram is crucial in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, diseases that represent important medical emergencies. Objetive: To determine the level of competence in ECG interpretation among medical students. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. A total of 180 medical students were surveyed. The study instrument contained a total of 20 items, which were grouped into 3 dimensions: basic competencies in electrocardiography, competencies in the recognition of myocardial infarction and competencies in the recognition of arrhythmias. Likewise, sociodemographic variables, age, gender, having a second health career, taking extracurricular courses in electrocardiography and the historical record of failed subjects were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test for associations were applied. Results: Among the 180 students, the median and interquartile range of the evaluation was 9 ± 5. The dimensions of basic ECG competencies, myocardial infarction recognition, and arrhythmia recognition recorded values of 3 ± 2.75, 3 ± 2.00 y 3 ± 2.10, respectively. The frequency of approved was 64 (35.6%); the variables extracurricular training (p-value = 0.021) and second profession in health (p-value = 0.003) presented a statistically significant association with respect to the level of knowledge in electrocardiography. Conclusions: Students' level of competence in interpreting electrocardiograms may be inadequate when they have not completed extracurricular training or second professional careers in health.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista; Universidad César Vallejo; Universidad Privada del Norte