12-lead-electrocardiograms (ECG) are used in diagnosis, risk-stratification management, and assessment in response to therapy; representing one of the most useful and commonly performed medical procedures.
Despite its widespread use, several studies have highlighted deficiencies in ECG interpretation skills among healthcare professionals (Breen et al., 2017, Breen et al., 2014). Specifically, up to 33% of ECGs interpreted have some error when compared to the expert reference and up to 11% resulted in inappropriate patient management (Salerno et al., 2003). With no evidence-based criteria shown to improve and maintain ECG interpretation skills (Fent et al., 2015); calls have been made to clarify and improve the current available methods, or to devise a new method of teaching (Fent et al., 2015).
Dr Breen will present novel approaches used to improve12-lead-ECG interpretation. The long-term goals of this work are to:
1. Gain a deeper insight into expert ECG interpretation.
2. Identify an optimal protocol and best practice guidelines for ECG interpretation and reporting.
3. Assess healthcare professionals ECG skills and to provide objective tailored feedback to facilitate continued learning and development across all healthcare professionals.
References
BREEN, C.J., BOND, R. and FINLAY, D. 2014. An evaluation of eye tracking technology in the assessment of 12 lead electrocardiography interpretation. Journal of Electrocardiology, 47, 922–929.
BREEN, C.J., BOND, R. and FINLAY, D. 2017. A clinical decision support tool to assist with the interpretation of the 12-lead Electrocardiogram. Health Informatics Journal pp. 1-11.
FENT, G., GOSAI, J. and PURVA, M. 2015. Teaching the interpretation of electrocardiograms: Which method is best? Journal of Electrocardiology 48:190–3
SALERNO, S.M., ALGUIRE, P.C. and WAXMAN, H.S. 2003. Training and Competency Evaluation for Interpretation of 12-Lead Electrocardiograms: Recommendations from the American College of Physicians. Am Coll Physicians J 138:747–50
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
HCPC registered Clinical Scientist,
Senior Lecturer of Physiology, School of Medicine at Ulster University Northern Ireland,
REF2021 returned researcher within the Institute of Nursing and Health Research (INHR),
Chair of Ethical Governance Committee Centre for Higher Education and Research Practice (CHERP),
Associate postgraduate tutor within the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technology (CHaRT) and Institute of Nursing and Health Research (INHR) at Ulster University.
Research Interests:
Cardiac electrophysiology (science of elucidating, diagnosing and treating the electrical activities of the heart).
Epicardial adipose tissue associations with atrial fibrillation.
Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic decision support systems (computer assisted differential diagnosis).
Conducting translational research (promoting entrepreneurship and commercialization).
Acquisition of expertise within the clinical domain (pedagogy).
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