Key result
Cardiology and ACLS coursework is linked to higher ECG interpretation competency in paramedic students.
Why the study?
Electrocardiography is an essential pre-hospital emergency tool, but no studies had yet assessed ECG interpretation among emergency medical services students in Saudi Arabia.
Does enrollment in cardiology and ACLS courses improve ECG interpretation competency in paramedic students?
Cross-Sectional (n=137)
No
Does enrollment in cardiology and ACLS courses improve ECG interpretation competency in paramedic students?
Paramedic students demonstrated acceptable ECG interpretation competency, which significantly improved after completing a dedicated cardiology course and ACLS training.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support cardiology/ACLS integration in paramedic curricula; leaves open causal effects pending prospective confirmation.
BACKGROUND: Electrocardiography is an essential emergency tool used in the pre-hospital setting. However, no studies have yet assessed electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation among emergency medical services (EMS) students in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the ECG interpretation competency of paramedic students. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional, single-center study, a pre-validated, self-administered, two-part questionnaire first created by Coll-Badell et al was used to assess the ECG interpretation competency of paramedic students at Prince Sultan College for Emergency Medical Services (PSCEMS) in King Saud University. Participant data were collected and analyzed to identify factors associated with improved competency. RESULTS: All students of PSCEMS were included, and 137 of 248 paramedic students completed the questionnaire (55% response rate); 88 students (64.2%) scored >7.5 points, indicating competency in (ECG) interpretation. Factors such as grade point average (GPA) (>3.5) and enrollment in cardiology and advanced cardiac life support courses were found to be significantly associated with competency (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of paramedic students were found to be competent in ECG interpretation. GPA and enrollment in cardiology and advanced cardiac life support courses were significantly associated with improved competency.
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Abdulmajeed Mobrad (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in ECG interpretation competency (n=137). Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and cardiology courses vs. No ACLS/cardiology course was evaluated on ECG interpretation competency (score >7.5 points on a 12-item questionnaire) (p=<0.001). The majority of paramedic students were competent in ECG interpretation, and enrollment in cardiology and ACLS courses was associated with improved competency.
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