Interactive Multimodal Curriculum on Use and Interpretation of Inpatient Telemetry

Introduction: Inpatient telemetry monitoring is a commonly used technology designed to detect and monitor life-threatening arrhythmias. However, residents are rarely educated in the proper use and interpretation of telemetry monitoring.

Methods: We developed a training module containing an educational video, PowerPoint presentation, and hands-on interactive learning session with a telemetry expert. The module highlights proper use of telemetry monitoring, recognition of telemetry artifact, and interrogation of telemetry to identify clinically significant arrhythmias. Learners completed pre- and postcurriculum knowledge-based assessments and a postcurriculum survey on their experience with the module. In total, the educational curriculum had three 60-minute sessions.

Results: Thirty-two residents participated in the training module. Residents scored higher on the posttest (77% ± 12%) than on the pretest (70% ± 12%), (31) = -4.3, < .001. Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated PGY-3s performed better on the posttest ( = 0.86) than on the pretest ( = 0.72), = -2.19, = .031. PGY-2s also performed better on the posttest ( = 0.86) than on the pretest ( = 0.76), = -2.04, = .042. There was no difference between pretest ( = 0.66) and posttest ( = 0.71) scores for PGY-1s, = -1.50, = .142. The majority of residents reported that the telemetry curriculum boosted their self-confidence, helped prepare them to analyze telemetry on their patients, and should be a required component of the residency.

Discussion: This module represents a new paradigm for teaching residents how to successfully and confidently interpret and use inpatient telemetry.