Teaching crucial skills: An electrocardiogram teaching module for medical students

Background Medical student performance in electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation at our institution could be improved. Varied resources exist to teach students this essential skill. Methods We created an ECG teaching module (ECGTM) of 75 cases representing 15 diagnoses to improve medical students’ performance and confidence in ECG interpretation. Students underwent pre- and post-clerkship testing to assess ECG interpretation skills and confidence and also end-of-clinical-year testing in ECG and laboratory interpretation. Performance was compared for the years before and during ECGTM availability. Results Eighty-four percent of students (total n = 101) reported using the ECGTM; 98% of those who used it reported it was useful. Students’ performance and confidence were higher on the post-test. Students with access to the ECGTM (n = 101) performed significantly better than students from the previous year (n = 90) on the end-of-year ECG test. Conclusions The continuous availability of an ECGTM was associated with improved confidence and ability in ECG interpretation. The ECGTM may be another available tool to help students as they learn to read ECGs.