Electrocardiography interpretation competency among medical students in Umm Al-Qura University: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The interpretation and reading of Electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the core medical skills, as there could be a negative impact on the management and safety of the patients if misinterpreted. Therefore, Our study aims to assess electrocardiographic interpretation competency among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Umm Al-Qura University. Participants were under-graduated medical students. An online questionnaire was distributed in January during the 2021-2022 academic year. Results: 427 students from clinical years participated in the study, the distribution of clinical academic years was comparable, fourth year (126; 29.5%), fifth year (150; 35.1%), and sixth year (151; 35.4%). The mean score for all the students out of 10 is: (4.58, SD: 2.32). The number of students who scored 7.5 or more out of 10 (passed): 74 (17.3%). Conclusion: The under-graduated medical student’s overall performance was limited regarding their competency in ECG interpretation. Thus, it is recommended to provide more organized educational courses and supervised self-learning on the respective topic to enhance overall ECG interpretation skills.