Turan SET, Mutlu BÜYÜKLÜ, Ümit AVŞAR, Hamit ACEMOĞLU, Ümmü Zeynep AVŞAR, Memet IŞIK, Zekeriya AKTÜRK, Zeliha CANSEVER

Improving electrocardiogram interpreting skills among primary care physicians in Turkey

To investigate the improvement in electrocardiogram (ECG) interpreting skills after a standardized ECG interpreting program as a continuous medical education activity among primary care physicians. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Turkey between December 2006 and October 2010. Out of the 81 provinces in Turkey, 17 were randomly selected and all physicians were invited to take the course on a voluntary basis and in total 798 physicians agreed to participate. The course was a half-day program. A test was applied to the participants before and after the training. The results of 781 participants were analyzed. Results: Of the participants, 417 (59.1%) were men and 288 (40.9%) women. The participants had graduated between 1977 and 2009. Mean scores participants received from the pretest and final test were 31.0 ± 21.9% and 86.3 ± 14.4%, respectively (t = -58.4, P < 0.001). Of the participants, 673 (86.2%) failed and 108 (13.8%) passed the pretest, whereas 23 participants (3.0%) failed and 746 participants (97.0%) passed the final test (c2 = 1083.6, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Structured education programs like this one have a positive contribution to the knowledge and skills of physicians. Undergraduate and postgraduate education on ECG interpretation should be arranged for primary care physicians.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Key words: Electrocardiogram, primary care, medical education

Improving electrocardiogram interpreting skills among primary care physicians in Turkey

Keywords:

Key words: Electrocardiogram, primary care, medical education,

PDF

___

Cakir Z, Saritas A, Aslan S, Emet M, Kandis H. Acute nontraumatic chest pain in emergency department and cost- eff ectiveness evaluation. Th e Eurasian Journal of Medicine 2008; 40: 119-23.
Davenport C, Cheng EY, Kwok YT, Lai AH, Wakabayashi T, Hyde C et al. Assessing the diagnostic test accuracy of natriuretic peptides and ECG in the diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Gen Pract 2006; 56: 48-56.
Kolbel F. [Electrocardiography of yesterday and today]. Cas Lek Cesk 2009; 148: 358-60.
Zareba KM, Shenkman HJ, Bisognano JD. Predictive value of admission electrocardiography in patients with heart failure. Congest Heart Fail 2008; 14: 173-9.
De Luca F, Privitera A. [Electrocardiography by the neonatologist]. Minerva Pediatr 2010; 62: 183-5.
Jain A, Tandri H, Dalal D, Chahal H, Soliman EZ, Prineas RJ et al. Diagnostic and prognostic utility of electrocardiography for left ventricular hypertrophy defi ned by magnetic resonance imaging in relationship to ethnicity: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Am Heart J 2010; 159: 652-8.
Kim SE, Park DG, Choi HH, Yoon DH, Lee JH, Han KR et al. Th e best predictor for right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism: comparison between electrocardiography and biomarkers. Korean Circ J 2009; 39: 378-81. 8. Lu C, Lu F, Fragasso G, Dabrowski P, Di B, V, Chierchia SL et al. Comparison of exercise electrocardiography, technetium-99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography, and dobutamine and dipyridamole echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease in hypertensive women. Am J Cardiol 2010; 105: 1254-60.
Mant J, Fitzmaurice DA, Hobbs FD, Jowett S, Murray ET, Holder R et al. Accuracy of diagnosing atrial fi brillation on electrocardiogram by primary care practitioners and interpretative diagnostic soft ware: analysis of data from screening for atrial fi brillation in the elderly (SAFE) trial. BMJ 2007; 335: 380.
Rutten FH, Kessels AG, Willems FF, Hoes AW. Electrocardiography in primary care; is it useful? Int J Cardiol 2000; 74: 199-205.
Dagdeviren N, Akturk Z, Set T, Ozer C, Mistik S, Durmus B et al. ECG interpretation skills of family physicians: A comparison with internists and untrained physicians. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine 2005; 3: 5-10.
Patel PM, Wu WC. Th e electrocardiogram in the primary care offi ce. Prim Care 2005; 32: 901-30.
Bostan M, Şatıroğlu Ö, Uydu HA, Çiçek Y, Çanga A, Karadağ Z et al. Distribution of coronary artery risk factors: a regional analysis. Turk J Med Sci 2011; 41: 317-24.
Er Öztaş Y, Özdöl Ç, Karaca L. Plasma LDL subtype distribution in patients with or without coronary stenosis. Turk J Med Sci 2011; 41: 959-64.
Mant J, McManus RJ, Oakes RA, Delaney BC, Barton PM, Deeks JJ et al. Systematic review and modelling of the investigation of acute and chronic chest pain presenting in primary care. Health Technol Assess 2004; 8: 1-158.
Nylenna M, Aasland OG. Primary care physicians and their information-seeking behaviour. Scand J Prim Health Care 2000; 18: 9-13.
Raupach T, Hanneforth N, Anders S, Pukrop T, Th J ten Cate O, Harendza S. Impact of teaching and assessment format on electrocardiogram interpretation skills. Med Educ 2010; 44: 731-40.
Al-Shehri AM, Al Haqwi AI, Al Ghamdi AS, Al-Turki SA. Challenges facing continuing medical education and the Saudi Council for Health Specialities. Saudi Med J 2001; 22: 3-5.