Assessment of Electrocardiography Interpretation Competency of Ethiopian Medical Interns: A multi-site Study

Abstract Background Accurate ECG interpretation is critical for early diagnosis of cardiac conditions, yet competency among medical interns in Ethiopia remains understudied. This study assessed ECG interpretation skills and associated factors among Ethiopian medical interns. Methods A multi-site cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 interns from four institutions. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 25. Competency was defined as scoring ≥ 80% on ECG interpretation. Binary logistic regression identified determinants of competency. A statistically significant P-value is less than 0.05 was taken into consideration. Result Only 19.1% of interns demonstrated competency, with significant institutional variation (SPHMMC: 32.7%, BLH: 21.5%, AHMC: 18.2%, JUMC: 7.1%). Confidence in ECG interpretation (AOR = 9.10, p < 0.05) and emergency department (ED) rotations during clinical years (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.05) and internship (AOR = 4.07, p < 0.05) were key predictors. Conclusion This study highlights the low competency in ECG interpretation among Ethiopian medical interns, mirroring global trends. Addressing this issue through enhanced educational strategies, standardization of training, and further research is vital to improving both medical education and patient outcomes.