Find in Library

Abstract This session is designed to introduce first-year medical students to the basic skills required to interpret electrocardiography (ECG). Using the small-group modality, students are provided with a fundamental knowledge of how to analyze eight illustrative normal and pathologic ECG strips in order to determine the rate, dominant rhythm, electrical axis, intervals, and wave forms. This diagnostic skills session has been part of our M1 Cardiopulmonary course for 2 years. In both years presented, the students have ranked this as one of the best small-group sessions of the entire year. They consistently comment that the time was well-spent. Many of our present M2 students (the first recipients of this exercise) have stated that having a good basic working knowledge of electrocardiography helped prepare them for M2 cardiopulmonary.