Electrocardiogram Interpretation Competency Among Paramedic Students

Figures & data

Table 1 Competency Score per Level

Study Level	n (%)	Mean Age (Years)	Score of >7.5 n (%)
1st Year	29 (21.1)	19.8	1 (4)
2nd Year	34 (24.8)	21.1	22 (65)
3rd Year	34 (24.8)	21.8	30 (88)
4th Year (Internship)	40 (29.2)	23	35 (88)

Table 2 Group Differences According to Study Level

(I) Study Level	(J) Study Level	Mean Difference (I-J)	Std. Error	P
1st Year	2nd Year	−6.08902-	0.52934	0.000
	3rd Year	−7.08456-	0.52549	<0.001
	Internship	−6.77961-	0.51191	<0.001
2nd Year	3rd Year	6.08902	0.52934	<0.001
	3rd Year	−0.99554-	0.52137	0.058
	Internship	−0.69059-	0.50768	0.176
3rd Year	1st Year	7.08456	0.52549	<0.001
	2nd Year	0.99554	0.52137	0.058
	Internship	0.30495	0.50367	0.546
4th Year (Internship)	1st Year	6.77961	0.51191	<0.001
	2nd Year	0.69059	0.50768	0.176
	3rd Year	−0.30495-	0.50367	0.546

Table 3 Group Differences According to GPA

(I) GPA	(J) GPA	Mean Difference (I-J)	Std. Error	P
≤3.5	3.51–4.50	−5.02941-	1.42208	<0.001
	≥4.51	−5.93678-	1.51826	<0.001
3.51–4.50	≤3.5	5.02941	1.42208	<0.001
	≥4.51	−0.90737-	0.71240	0.205
≥4.51	≤3.5	5.93678	1.51826	<0.001
	3.51–4.50	0.90737	0.71240	0.205

Table 4 Relationship Between Enrollment in Extracurricular Courses and Overall Score

Question	–	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	T	P
Did you finish the ACLS course?	Yes	74	8.6622	2.25909	53.224	<0.001
	No	63	5.4127	3.97425
Did you complete any training course related to electrocardiography? (do not consider formal cardiology course)	Yes	31	8.3548	2.77547	7.764	0.006
	No	106	6.8208	3.68212

Abbreviation: ACLS, advanced cardiac life support.

Table 5 Differences in Score Due to Timing, Delivery, and Length of Course

Q	–	Sum of Squares	df	Mean Square	F	P
When was the last course?	Between Groups	59.844	2	29.922	2.428	0.092
	Within Groups	1651.294	134	12.323
	Total	1711.139	136
How was the course delivered?	Between Groups	59.340	3	19.780	1.593	0.194
	Within Groups	1651.799	133	12.420
	Total	1711.139	136
How long was the course (h)?	Between Groups	78.768	3	26.256	2.139	0.098
	Within Groups	1632.371	133	12.273
	Total	1711.139	136