Determining electrocardiography training priorities for medical students using a modified Delphi method

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dc.contributor.authorViljoen, Charle A
dc.contributor.authorMillar, Rob S
dc.contributor.authorManning, Kathryn
dc.contributor.authorBurch, Vanessa C
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-22T11:14:40Z
dc.date.available2021-06-22T11:14:40Z
dc.date.issued2020-11-16
dc.date.updated2020-11-22T04:27:17Z
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background Although electrocardiography is considered a core learning outcome for medical students, there is currently little curricular guidance for undergraduate ECG training. Owing to the absence of expert consensus on undergraduate ECG teaching, curricular content is subject to individual opinion. The aim of this modified Delphi study was to establish expert consensus amongst content and context experts on an ECG curriculum for medical students. Methods The Delphi technique, an established method of obtaining consensus, was used to develop an undergraduate ECG curriculum. Specialists involved in ECG teaching were invited to complete three rounds of online surveys. An undergraduate ECG curriculum was formulated from the topics of ECG instruction for which consensus (i.e. ≥75% agreement) was achieved. Results The panellists (n = 131) had a wide range of expertise (42.8% Internal Medicine, 22.9% Cardiology, 16% Family Medicine, 13.7% Emergency Medicine and 4.6% Health Professions Education). Topics that reached consensus to be included in the undergraduate ECG curriculum were classified under technical aspects of performing ECGs, basic ECG analysis, recognition of the normal ECG and abnormal rhythms and waveforms and using electrocardiography as part of a clinical diagnosis. This study emphasises that ECG teaching should be framed within the clinical context. Course conveners should not overload students with complex and voluminous content, but rather focus on commonly encountered and life-threatening conditions, where accurate diagnosis impacts on patient outcome. A list of 23 “must know” ECG diagnoses is therefore proposed. Conclusion A multidisciplinary expert panel reached consensus on the ECG training priorities for medical students.
dc.identifier.citationBMC Medical Education. 2020 Nov 16;20(1):431
dc.identifier.ris TY - AU - Viljoen, Charle A AU - Millar, Rob S AU - Manning, Kathryn AU - Burch, Vanessa C AB - Abstract Background Although electrocardiography is considered a core learning outcome for medical students, there is currently little curricular guidance for undergraduate ECG training. Owing to the absence of expert consensus on undergraduate ECG teaching, curricular content is subject to individual opinion. The aim of this modified Delphi study was to establish expert consensus amongst content and context experts on an ECG curriculum for medical students. Methods The Delphi technique, an established method of obtaining consensus, was used to develop an undergraduate ECG curriculum. Specialists involved in ECG teaching were invited to complete three rounds of online surveys. An undergraduate ECG curriculum was formulated from the topics of ECG instruction for which consensus (i.e. ≥75% agreement) was achieved. Results The panellists (n = 131) had a wide range of expertise (42.8% Internal Medicine, 22.9% Cardiology, 16% Family Medicine, 13.7% Emergency Medicine and 4.6% Health Professions Education). Topics that reached consensus to be included in the undergraduate ECG curriculum were classified under technical aspects of performing ECGs, basic ECG analysis, recognition of the normal ECG and abnormal rhythms and waveforms and using electrocardiography as part of a clinical diagnosis. This study emphasises that ECG teaching should be framed within the clinical context. Course conveners should not overload students with complex and voluminous content, but rather focus on commonly encountered and life-threatening conditions, where accurate diagnosis impacts on patient outcome. A list of 23 “must know” ECG diagnoses is therefore proposed. Conclusion A multidisciplinary expert panel reached consensus on the ECG training priorities for medical students. DA - 2020-11-16 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Electrocardiography KW - Curriculum KW - Medical students LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2020 T1 - Determining electrocardiography training priorities for medical students using a modified Delphi method TI - Determining electrocardiography training priorities for medical students using a modified Delphi method UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33373 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02354-4
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/33373
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s)
dc.subjectElectrocardiography
dc.subjectCurriculum
dc.subjectMedical students
dc.titleDetermining electrocardiography training priorities for medical students using a modified Delphi method
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