Background: Teaching electrocardiogram ( ECG) interpretation is a recommended component of the family practice residency curriculum. Published information concerning the ECG interpretation ability of residents is sparse. This study sought to ascertain the baseline knowledge of family practice residents' ECG interpretation skills and extent of improvement after one year of training.Methods: A 15 ECG examination was administered to 38 PG-1 and 14 upper level residents at 5 residency programs at the beginning of the academic year and to residents at the authors' program at the end of the academic year. Pre-test scores among the five programs were compared using an analysis of variance ( ANOVA). Pre-test and post-test scores were compared using a paired randomization test.Results: No difference was found between average scores from each site, or between the beginning and end of the academic year. Residents were more likely to misinterpret items such as myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and atrial fibrillation.Conclusions: Residents in family practice have considerable deficiencies in ECG interpretation skills. Further studies are needed to determine effective ECG teaching curricula.

This study examined how often physicians in Georgia diagnose and treat Lyme disease as well as the criteria they use to reach a diagnosis of Lyme disease. A survey was sent to 1,331 family physicians in Georgia concerning how many cases of Lyme disease the physicians diagnosed, and the criteria used to make the diagnosis, during the preceding 12 months. Of 710 responses, 167 physicians treated 316 cases of Lyme disease without a firm diagnosis. In addition, 125 physicians diagnosed 262 cases of Lyme disease, 130 without serologic testing and 132 with serologic testing. Family Physicians in Georgia diagnose Lyme disease at a rate 40 times greater than the surveillance case rate reported in Georgia.