Education curriculum assessment for teaching electrocardiography: Rationale and design for the prospective, international, randomized controlled EDUCATE trial

Anthony H. Kashou, Peter A. Noseworthy, Thomas J. Beckman, Nandan S. Anavekar, Michael W. Cullen, Kurt B. Angstman, Benjamin J. Sandefur, Carrie A. Thompson, Andrew J. Halvorsen, Brian P. Shapiro, Brandon W. Wiley, Andrew M. Kates, Dominique Cosco, Justin S. Sadhu, Prashanth D. Thakker, David Huneycutt, Andrew Braisted, Stephen W. Smith, Adrian Baranchuk, Ken GrauerKevin O'Brien, Viren Kaul, Harvir Singh Gambhir, Stephen J. Knohl, Daniel Restrepo, Paul D. Kligfield, Peter W. Macfarlane, Barbara J. Drew, Adam M. May

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation training is a fundamental component of medical education across disciplines. However, the skill of interpreting ECGs is not universal among medical graduates, and numerous barriers and challenges exist in medical training and clinical practice. An evidence-based and widely accessible learning solution is needed. Design: The EDUcation Curriculum Assessment for Teaching Electrocardiography (EDUCATE) Trial is a prospective, international, investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized controlled trial designed to determine the efficacy of self-directed and active-learning approaches of a web-based educational platform for improving ECG interpretation proficiency. Target enrollment is 1000 medical professionals from a variety of medical disciplines and training levels. Participants will complete a pre-intervention baseline survey and an ECG interpretation proficiency test. After completion, participants will be randomized into one of four groups in a 1:1:1:1 fashion: (i) an online, question-based learning resource, (ii) an online, lecture-based learning resource, (iii) an online, hybrid question- and lecture-based learning resource, or (iv) a control group with no ECG learning resources. The primary endpoint will be the change in overall ECG interpretation performance according to pre- and post-intervention tests, and it will be measured within and compared between medical professional groups. Secondary endpoints will include changes in ECG interpretation time, self-reported confidence, and interpretation accuracy for specific ECG findings. Conclusions: The EDUCATE Trial is a pioneering initiative aiming to establish a practical, widely available, evidence-based solution to enhance ECG interpretation proficiency among medical professionals. Through its innovative study design, it tackles the currently unaddressed challenges of ECG interpretation education in the modern era. The trial seeks to pinpoint performance gaps across medical professions, compare the effectiveness of different web-based ECG content delivery methods, and create initial evidence for competency-based standards. If successful, the EDUCATE Trial will represent a significant stride towards data-driven solutions for improving ECG interpretation skills in the medical community.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)166-173
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Electrocardiology
Volume80
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2023

Keywords

  • ECG competency
  • ECG education
  • ECG proficiency
  • ECG teaching
  • Medical education

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Education curriculum assessment for teaching electrocardiography: Rationale and design for the prospective, international, randomized controlled EDUCATE trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this