ECG course or electrocardiogram interpretation is one of the important clinical tests taught at medical schools. The teaching methods include bedside teaching, lectures (didactic and case-based), textbooks, and computer-based instruction. Courses can also be purchased off the shelves at the bookstore. ECG (electrocardiogram) is the most important apparatus in cardiac electrophysiology. It is a noninvasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart in the form of a continuous strip graph. The technique is used to measure the rate and promptness of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any hurt to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart, like a pacemaker. ECG courses aim at providing an insight into the ECG waveform and ways of interpreting and understanding them. The job of an ECG technician in a health clinic is to perform ECGs on patients referred by medical doctors. But, a specialist in cardiology must be familiar with almost all clinically encountered patterns and arrhythmias. Normally, all courses focus on anatomy and physiology of a cardiac circulatory system, cardiac conduction system, ECG waveforms, normal sinus rhythm, cardiac arrhythmia, limb electrode placement and precordial electrode placement. During the course, the trainees learn the basics of exercise testing, including skin preparation, electrode selection and application, choice of exercise testing protocols, and blood pressure monitoring. Also, they become skilled in data interpretation, written reports and, significantly, in the diagnostic and prognostic importance or sensitivity and specificity of the procedure in different clinical settings. |