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Original papers: Luke Solomons, Adrian Treloar, and Ryan Noronha Competence of psychiatric clinicians in interpreting electrocardiograms and QT intervals: can they do this? Does it matter? Psychiatr Bull 2008; 32: 291-294 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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The heart of the matter

Adeniyi S Adetoki   (4 September 2008)

The heart of the matter 4 September 2008
Adeniyi S Adetoki, Trainee Psychiatrist Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Send letter to journal: Re: The heart of the matter niyiadetoki{at}yahoo.co.uk Adeniyi S Adetoki	This article further highlights the fact that there is need for Psychiatrists to update skills in aspects of patient management that are perceived to be more related to specialties other than Psychiatry. Mandatory training for trainees in Psychiatry already includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Immediate Life- saving Skills). I believe that adding ECG training to this will serve the purpose at least in the short term of equipping trainees with the skills needed to correctly interprete ECG tracings, perhaps with an emphasis on the QTc. A point to bear in mind though is where the line is to be drawn, within the current litigious milieu of medical practice, regarding who interprets the result of an investigation. The heart of the matter is this; ultimately, the Royal College will probably need to take a decision regarding the relevance or importance of Psychiatry trainees spending some time, as part of their training, in other Departments outside Psychiatry. This is with a view to addressing real or perceived inadequacies in skills and competency where issues such as the interpretation of ECGs, U & Es and CTs (to give a few examples) are concerned. Declaration of interests: none.