ELECTROCARDIOGRAM READING: A SKILL TO DEVELOP IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most relevant auxiliary examination and the first requirement for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with cardiovascular diseases that reach the emergency. Likewise, it is an instrument of great availability, low cost and of high predictive and prognostic value. Hence, the need for physicians to obtain accurate and timely interpretations, develop, as a basic and essential skill, to read and interpret an ECG properly, allowing them to diagnose and treat cardiac, metabolic, electrolyte pathologies in a timely manner and life-threatening toxicology. The difficulties detected in systematic evaluations, seminars, control works, practical works, workshops and final exams, for third year students of the Medicine career, when they pass through the Clinical Propaedeutics subject, show the insufficient development that they possess, in this important ability, which has motivated this didactic research to reverse the situation.