Developing an interactive online curriculum directed at pediatric trainees for instruction on pediatric electrocardiogram interpretation

Interpretation of pediatric ECG is a specific skill set that requires familiarity with normal electrographic changes in the developing heart, common pediatric dysrhythmias, and conduction alterations secondary to structural lesions. Previous studies showed that pediatric trainees are neither comfortable nor proficient in ECG reading. We aimed to develop an interactive self-learning curriculum for teaching pediatric ECG interpretation. In a collaboration between pediatric residents and cardiologists, we identified high-yield topics, ‘red flags,’ and age-related normal variances that are important to recognize. We built a 5–10-minute teaching module for each topic using Adobe Captivate. The modules were available online on a shared server. Participants were asked to take pre- and post-participation surveys and interpretation skill tests to define knowledge gaps and to focus our curricular development. The workgroup defined 14 topics for the teaching modules. The pre-participation survey and test were completed by 74 learners (53 % pediatric residents, 29% pediatric advanced care provider fellows, and others). Only 22 % and 26 % reported comfort with distinguishing normal from abnormal ECG or identifying common arrhythmias, respectively; only one learner reported feeling comfortable identifying signs of structural abnormalities. Of this group, 16 participants completed all 14 modules and took the post-test. They reported improved confidence and scored higher on performance test (p = 0.02). We present a newly developed educational program for ECG interpretation that centers on visual learning and pattern recognition of high-yield findings in pediatrics. Initial surveys confirm the need for an accessible teaching tool that is asynchronous and can answer the specific topics of interest of each learner. We intend to share our education material for broader use outside of our institution. •Pediatric trainees feel a significant gap in their comfort and ability to interpret electrocardiograms in the young child.•Short, high-yield and asynchronous curriculum is developed to allow on-line individual learning.•Electrocardiogram teaching modules are based on visual pattern recognition and self-assessment.•Upon completion of the curriculum, trainees performed better on electrocardiogram reading skills test.