Challenges in Electrocardiography

Course Description

The electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is one of the first complementary diagnostic tests to be used in numerous clinical situations. Through it, it is possible to diagnose and adapt the treatment. This auxiliary diagnostic tool has been presented as a fundamental test, sometimes essential, in the Medicine area, whether in Hospital or in Primary Care.

The Challenges in Electrocardiography course through the Body Interact advanced medical simulation technology allows the professional to identify cardiac clinical situations by applying the appropriate care and treatments in the shortest time possible, providing safe and quality care through virtual patients.

Course Overview

• 6 Modules
  • 6 virtual patient cases of an intermediate level of complexity
• Average Time to practice (per module)
  • Clinical Scenario: 20 minutes per attempt (3 attempts: 60 minutes)
  • Final attempt (if applicable): 20 minutes
  • Multiple Choice Question: 5 minutes
  • Feedback Area: 10 minutes
  • Learning Objectives and Scientific References: 10 minutes
  • Debriefing Video: 10 minutes
• Online, Self-paced
  • You have up to 2 months to complete the 6 modules at your own pace. The course can be accessed through Body Interact at any time.
• Certificate of Completion
  • After completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to your CV or Resume.

Learning Objectives

• Identify variants of the normal, early repolarization, respiratory sinus dysrhythmia, and lead misplacement
• Identify cardiac rhythms with normal and slow rates
• Identify atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction abnormalities.
• Develop clinical reasoning of myocardial infarction through the patient’s clinical history
• Identify what ECG changes might myocardial ischemia cause other than ST-segment elevation and what are the differential diagnoses of these changes
• Identify electrocardiographic indications for reperfusion therapy

Clinical Competencies

Safety

• Universal safety measures procedures
• Collect patients clinical information
• Establish drug dosing for common medications

Airway and Breathing

• Basic airway management;
• Airway suctioning
• Respiratory rate and rhythm assessment
• Oximetry interpretation

Circulation

• Assess and interpret pulse (rate, rhythm and volume) and blood pressure (various sites and body positions)

Disability

• Mental status assessment (level of arousal, response to auditory stimuli, to visual stimuli, noxious stimuli)

Exposure

• Assess and interpret temperature
• Hand and foot examination
• Wound care and lesion qualities assessment (petechiae, urticaria, jaundice, vesicles, etc)
•Handle and position patients body
• Refer to healthcare/ medical specialties
• Contribute to the implementation of physiotherapy interventions

Module 1 – Felt bad at home

Context: The standard 12-lead electrocardiogram is a representation of the heart’s electrical activity recorded from electrodes on the body surface. When interpreted accurately, an ECG can detect and monitor a host of heart conditions – from arrhythmias to coronary heart disease to electrolyte imbalance.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Moyo was at home with his grandmother, when she started feeling palpitations and anxiety. Her grandmother tries to understand what is happening with her, but she just mentions that she’s not feeling well.

Module 2 – Bicycle fall

Context: The existence of electrocardiographic variants may be common in individuals with a structurally normal heart, more frequent in males, in blacks, in younger (less than 40 years old), and more athletically active individuals with characteristics that predispose them to vagotonia. However, it is very important to make a differential diagnosis of pathologies that could be fatal, such as Acute Myocardial Infarction.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Dean was on a bicycle marathon race when he suddenly, on a curve, fell and broke his leg. He was stabilized at the scene and, after that, immediately brought to the Emergency Department.

Module 3 – Faint in the garden

Context: The ECG is an important tool, inexpensive and easy to perform, that may allow you to identify various causes of syncope. it can also be used to help predict prognosis and risk-stratify patients.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Waters was walking his dog outside when suddenly felt chest palpitations and fainted in the garden. His sister called for an ambulance.

Module 4 – Unspecified malaise

Context: Sometimes, the strange appearance of the ECG, either by the appearance of its waves or by the duration of the intervals, does not allow immediate identification of the underlying disorder. Knowledge of electrical and mechanical cardiac physiology is essential.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Finn is a gardener. Lately, he has been feeling down, with some family problems and also at work.

Module 5 – Edema of the lower limbs

Context: Lower limb edema is a clinical sign that may translate into an abnormality of the heart function. Knowledge of the patterns of clinical presentation together with electrocardiographic imaging may contribute to the diagnosis of cardiac pathology.
Virtual Scenario: Mr. Coleman has a personal history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and obesity. He is retired and works only in agriculture, living with his wife.

Module 6 – Chest pain

Context: Chest pain affects 20% to 40% of the general population. In many cases, it is related to heart problems. A quick diagnosis and a correct approach can save lives.
Virtual Scenario: Ms. Harris is a journalist and has been under tremendous stress and anxiety with deadlines to deliver some important articles. This evening she felt a pain in her chest and decided to come to the emergency room.