ECG Workshop Self-Study Course

Practical Electrocardiography Interpretation for Emergency and Acute Care Clinicians

Overview

The ECG Workshop Self-Study Course is a focused educational program designed to strengthen electrocardiogram interpretation skills through a structured series of lectures covering normal ECG analysis, arrhythmias, ischemia recognition, and potentially life-threatening electrocardiographic findings.

Developed by the Center for Emergency Medical Education, this self-paced course provides practical ECG training for physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, emergency clinicians, and healthcare professionals involved in acute patient care.

The curriculum emphasizes a systematic approach to ECG interpretation, enabling participants to rapidly identify common and critical cardiac abnormalities encountered in emergency medicine, cardiology, urgent care, and inpatient settings.

Course Specifications

Format

• 9 Video Lectures
• Self-Study Course
• CME Accredited Program

Accreditation

• 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• 3.75 Nursing Contact Hours

Educational Level

Beginner to Intermediate

Specialty

Electrocardiography & Acute Cardiac Care

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Apply a systematic approach to ECG interpretation.
• Identify normal ECG findings and common abnormalities.
• Recognize ischemic and non-ischemic ST-T wave changes.
• Diagnose common tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias.
• Differentiate benign from life-threatening ECG findings.
• Identify electrocardiographic manifestations of acute coronary syndromes.
• Improve confidence in emergency ECG interpretation.
• Recognize ECG patterns requiring urgent intervention.

Course Curriculum

1. Introduction to the Course

Provides an overview of ECG fundamentals and learning objectives.

Topics Include

• Course Structure
• ECG Interpretation Strategy
• Learning Framework

2. Interpreting the Electrocardiogram

The foundation of the course.

Topics Include

• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• ECG Waveforms
• Cardiac Axis
• Heart Rate Determination
• Rhythm Analysis
• Intervals and Segments
• Systematic ECG Interpretation

Participants learn a step-by-step method for evaluating any ECG.

3. The ST Segment and T Wave: Non-Ischemia

Focuses on non-coronary causes of ST-segment and T-wave abnormalities.

Topics Include

• Early Repolarization
• Pericarditis
• Electrolyte Abnormalities
• Ventricular Hypertrophy
• Bundle Branch Blocks
• Non-Ischemic ST Changes

4. The Tachycardias

Comprehensive review of fast cardiac rhythms.

Topics Include

• Sinus Tachycardia
• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
• Atrial Flutter
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Ventricular Tachycardia
• Wide Complex Tachycardias
• Differential Diagnosis

Participants learn how to rapidly identify and manage tachyarrhythmias.

5. The ST Segment and T Wave: Ischemia

A focused review of ischemic ECG findings.

Topics Include

• Myocardial Ischemia
• Acute Coronary Syndromes
• STEMI Recognition
• NSTEMI Patterns
• Reciprocal Changes
• Hyperacute T Waves

Special emphasis is placed on early recognition of acute myocardial infarction.

6. The Bradycardias

Review of slow cardiac rhythms and conduction abnormalities.

Topics Include

• Sinus Bradycardia
• First-Degree AV Block
• Second-Degree AV Block
• Complete Heart Block
• Junctional Rhythms
• Escape Rhythms

7. Potentially Lethal ECGs

One of the most clinically important sections.

Topics Include

• Ventricular Tachycardia
• Ventricular Fibrillation
• Complete Heart Block
• Hyperkalemia
• Brugada Pattern
• Acute STEMI
• High-Risk ECG Findings

Participants learn to recognize ECG patterns associated with sudden cardiac death and hemodynamic instability.

8. Electrocardiography Review: Unknown Cases

Case-based ECG interpretation.

Topics Include

• Unknown ECG Tracings
• Differential Diagnosis
• Interpretation Strategy
• Clinical Correlation

9. Question and Answer Session

Review of key concepts and clarification of difficult ECG patterns.

Educational Features

Practical ECG Interpretation

Focuses on real-world ECG recognition rather than extensive theoretical discussions.

Emergency Medicine Perspective

Highlights abnormalities commonly encountered in acute care settings.

Structured Learning Pathway

Progresses from ECG fundamentals to advanced rhythm recognition.

Case-Based Reinforcement

Uses unknown ECG examples to strengthen diagnostic confidence.

Target Audience

Physicians

• Emergency Physicians
• Cardiologists
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians
• Hospitalists

Advanced Practice Providers

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

Nurses

• Emergency Nurses
• Critical Care Nurses
• Cardiac Nurses

Trainees

• Medical Students
• Residents
• Cardiology Fellows
• Emergency Medicine Residents

Why This Course Stands Out

• Concise and clinically focused ECG review.
• Strong emphasis on emergency ECG interpretation.
• Covers both common and life-threatening rhythms.
• Suitable for beginners and experienced clinicians seeking review.
• Case-based learning improves retention and clinical application.