How did you learn EKGs

[Soleus]

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OK, so I will be finishing up my intern year soon and will be starting CA-1 year in July. I must admitted say that EKGs are still something I don't feel completely comfortable with and was looking for advice on how you got better with them. I've read Dubin's twice and think it's a pretty good beginner's resource but was looking for anything else you used to get to a more advanced level (i.e. other books, websites, practice tests/EKGs, etc.)

I know that many people say that they learn them on the job, but aside from the "you'll only get better with experience and seeing them first-hand" answers, what can I do to prepare and get better before starting my CA-1 year?

 

[lord_jeebus]

Dubin was good for BSing my way through med school, but Garcia's book is what really gave me confidence

 

[btbam]

I found this pretty helpful, probably not the most in-depth book ever but good enough for basic dysrhythmias and learning how to read 12-lead EKGs well.

 

[RedAnesthesia]

I found this pretty helpful, probably not the most in-depth book ever but good enough for basic dysrhythmias and learning how to read 12-lead EKGs well.

I agree. I read that book and I felt it was great for getting better for reading EKGs.
Red

 

[Dwindlin]

Dubin was good for BSing my way through med school, but Garcia's book is what really gave me confidence

Love Garcia. His arrhythmia book is excellent as well.

 

[rsgillmd]

I'm assuming you know the basics. After learning the basics, I only got comfortable after looking at a bunch of them with cardiology fellows during my CCU rotation as a medical student, and during my prelim medicine year.

Nothing beats practice and a systematic approach.

I am far from an expert, but I definitely feel comfortable.

 

[Depakote]

What if you're about to start intern year and don't have much confidence in your EKG reading skills?

Dubin? Go straight for Garcia?

I'm hoping this is something that'll improve with experience over the next year, but it definitely feels like a knowledge gap I should work on.

 

[Leverage]

Concepts and Cautions in Electrocardiography [Paperback]

William Nelson (Author), Henry J. L. Marriott (Author), Douglas D. Schocken (Author)

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

What if you're about to start intern year and don't have much confidence in your EKG reading skills?

Dubin? Go straight for Garcia?

I'm hoping this is something that'll improve with experience over the next year, but it definitely feels like a knowledge gap I should work on.

I second that.

I came across a couple of decent PPTs; however, unsure if I'm allowed to upload them on here (i.e. TOS violation?).

 

[Depakote]

I second that.

I came across a couple of decent PPTs; however, unsure if I'm allowed to upload them on here (i.e. TOS violation?).

*puts on mod hat*

Hard to say.

As long as they don't contain material from known copyrighted sources it's probably ok. Copyrighted sources being, texts, review courses that state their material is copyrighted or have any other claim of copyright posted on the file. That, or if the author of the file later requests the file be removed due to a reasonable copyright claim.

If it's clear with those caveats, I'd say go ahead and post them. If it doesn't look kosher, we can get them taken down, but we won't ding you for it.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I went through the PPTs (sorry, not couple, but it's 3), while images were put in, there is no credit given by the initial creator. Also, nothing about copyright laws being stated. If you feel it's not kosher, go ahead and delete.

Hope this proves helpful.

 

[Depakote]

I went through the PPTs (sorry, not couple, but it's 3), while images were put in, there is no credit given by the initial creator. Also, nothing about copyright laws being stated. If you feel it's not kosher, go ahead and delete.

Hope this proves helpful.

At first glance, I think you're ok. I'll double check with some of the other mods. Thanks for posting those.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

At first glance, I think you're ok. I'll double check with some of the other mods. Thanks for posting those.

👍

 

[lord_jeebus]

Depakote,

I'd just start with Garcia. It begins with the assumption that you know nothing about EKG.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Depakote,

I'd just start with Garcia. It begins with the assumption that you know nothing about EKG.

Should we start prior to intern year, or reading during it is fine?

I ask because that thing called cash may be an issue... 😵

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Found this:

http://www.12leadecg.com/full/

Seems to be a website from the book by Garcia

 

[nlax30]

I also used the Garcia book during med school and thought it was good. Best part was that it had a LOT of full 12-lead examples to walk you through.

Also recently found this website/blog ran by an ER doc that I really like, Dr Smith's ECG Blog:
http://hqmeded-ecg.blogspot.com/

 

[cfdavid]

While no expert, I do think that you need to either 1) spend a good amount of time on your own trying to interpret EKG's or 2) have some dedicated rotations (in med school OR PGY1 year) like cardiology or CCU where it isn't just an afterthought, in order to get to a decent level of competency.

The best advice given to me (from a cardiology fellow) was to continue on with the vector approach (not unlike Dubin introduces you too, but Dubin is not sufficient IMHO beyond the basics). Approaching each lead with a perspective on where it's located on the body, and how this relates to electrical conductivity and what you actually see on the tracing.

Also, try staying focused on solid funamentals and then also on the more common arrythmias and other abnormalities. The practical stuff. Because, there's a reason entire books are written about the art and science of interpreting an EKG.

Just my 2 cents.