Diagnostik af elektrokardiogram--en blindet kontrolleret undersøgelse

INTRODUCTION: Accurate interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECG) is a challenging skill. There are no comparative data on diagnostic ECG skills between orthopaedic surgeons and physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Controlled prospective and blinded multi-centre study including 30 orthopaedic surgeons and 30 physicians. A validated structured questionnaire including five blinded examples of ECG was answered by all participants. RESULTS: The ECG skills were significantly poorer in the orthopaedic group than in the group of internal physicians. Thus, ECG scores were median two (range 0-5) and four (2-5) and the total scores were 71 and 124 (p < 0.01) in the orthopaedic and physician group, respectively. The orthopaedic group consisted of two females and 28 males versus 13 females and 17 males in the internal physician group (p < 0.01). There were no significant intergroup differences for any other variables registered (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: Educational programs and enrollment of more female orthopaedic surgeons may enhance ECG skills in the orthopaedic surgical community. Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Dec-15