The 'Subtle ACS & Mimics' ECG Workshop is a unique, two-day advanced ECG course specifically designed to help A&E clinicians in Senior Decision Maker roles (ST4 and above) upgrade their ECG skills by gaining a deeper understanding of the nuances of ischaemic ECG interpretation and staying updated with the latest advancements in the field. 

It focuses on:

• Identifying subtle signs of Acute Coronary Syndrome, especially acute total coronary occlusion before the ST elevates or Troponin rises.

• Differentiating ACS from ischaemic-looking, non-ischaemic ECG patterns.

The workshop addresses a key gap in traditional ECG teaching by offering comprehensive training on advanced ischaemic ECG interpretation, tailored specifically for Senior A&E Clinicians, all in one place.  It combines a unique Concept based Approach to ECG interpretation along with the traditional pattern recognition which enables the delegates to not just identify subtle ischaemic patterns, but also understand what is happening in the patient's heart. This in turn, will help delegates make better decisions when it comes to patient management and disposition. The latest updates in ECG interpretation are covered in an interactive manner with plenty of opportunities for independent ECG interpretation with detailed feedback & practical tips on how to avoid common errors. 

One of the greatest challenges in Emergency Medicine has always been the identification of ‘Subtle ACS’ & its differentiation from the ‘ischaemic appearing, but non-ischaemic ECGs’. In an era where A&E clinicians have started to look beyond ST segment elevation as the sole indicator of a total occlusion of the coronary artery, the ability to confidently identify ‘Subtle ACS’ & differentiate it from the ‘Mimics of ACS’ has become a mandatory skillset in the repertoire of all Emergency Physicians. This skillset is even more important for A&E clinicians in Senior Decision Making roles (ST4 & above) who often have to make critical decisions regarding patient management and disposition based on ECGs.

Despite this, there are few ECG workshops that focus exclusively on developing these niche skillsets. They are traditionally expected to be learnt ‘on the job’, but in reality, these are highly specialised skillsets which needs specific training to be properly developed.

It is in this context, that Practical ECG Courses has decided to lead the way & organise The ‘Subtle ACS & Mimics’ ECG Workshop – a first of its kind, comprehensive 2 day ECG Workshop aimed at Senior Decision Makers in A&E and exclusively dedicated to developing the rarely taught skillset of identifying the Subtlest of ACS & differentiating it from its Mimics.

The aim of the workshop is to provide all the knowledge & skills that a Senior Decision Maker in A&E would need to practice advanced ischaemic ECG interpretation.

This is aimed at senior clinicians working in acute specialities like Emergency Medicine or Acute Medicine who have been regularly interpreting ECGs for at least 3-5 years. 

Knowledge of basic ECG interpretation, including familiarity with common ECG patterns seen in ED, will be assumed.

Please note that this requirement of 3-5 years of regular ECG interpretation is a guideline, exceptions may apply. If you are unsure whether this course would be suitable for you, please do not hesitate to email me at practicalecgcourses@gmail.com. 

The level of discussion will be such that ECG interpreters across all experience levels from ST4 to Consultants will benefit from the session.

While this workshop is primarily aimed at clinicians based in Emergency Medicine and Acute Medicine, any clinician who has been regularly interpreting ECGs for at least 3-5 years and is familiar with common ECG patterns is welcome. 

We believe that there are two main levels of ECG interpretation - that expected from Cardiologists & Non-Cardiologists. All of our teaching is focussed on helping non-Cardiology clinicians develop a level of ECG interpretation appropriate for their clinical practice. This includes specialties like General Medicine, Critical Care, Anaesthesia, Respiratory Medicine, Family Medicine & General Practitioners.

The 'Subtle ACS & Mimics' ECG Workshop is a cohesive 2-day learning experience, with Day 1 and Day 2 building upon each other. The content has been carefully structured to ensure that all delegates gain a comprehensive understanding of advanced concepts and their clinical applications.

To maintain the integrity of the workshop and ensure a high-quality learning experience for all delegates, the following policy applies:

• Delegates are expected to attend both days, as the content is sequentially structured, with Day 1 laying the foundation for Day 2.

• In exceptional cases, delegates may be permitted to attend only Day 1. For more details, please email us & this will be decided on a case by case basis. The fee for attending just Day 1 will be £100. 

• Delegates cannot attend only Day 2, even if they have previously attended The 'Subtle ACS' ECG Workshop. Attendance on Day 1 of the same session is mandatory for anyone attending Day 2 to ensure continuity and readiness for advanced topics.

These policies ensure a cohesive and impactful learning experience for all participants.

Registration for The 'Subtle ACS & Mimics' ECG Workshop opens at 9am on 14th of December 2024. Opening registrations at a set time helps ensure a fair process, giving all delegates an equal chance to secure discounted tickets. 

The registration fee for The 'Subtle ACS & Mimics' ECG Workshop uses a tiered pricing system based on how early you register.

When registration opens on December 14th at 9am, discounted tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. The fee starts at £100, representing a 50% discount on the full price of £200. A limited number of tickets will be available at this rate, after which the price will increase in £10 increments until the full fee of £200 is reached.

To secure the best price, we recommend registering as early as possible once the registration opens.

The Earlier You Register, the Bigger the Discount ! 

Unfortunately the live teaching session will not be recorded as recording a session inevitably brings down the interactiveness of the delegates. As I base my discussions almost entirely around the interpretation of the delegates, recording the session is something that directly impacts the quality of the session. 

In addition, the workshop is meant to serve as a safe space for physicians in senior roles to practice ECG interpretation. In order to provide an ambience of psychological safety to all delegates, it is vital that the delegates have the freedom to express their interpretation without the fear of being recorded.

We understand that plans can change, and we want to ensure that our cancellation policy is clear and fair for all delegates. The following cancellation fees apply based on the date of cancellation:

• Cancellation Before February 10th, 2025

-  A cancellation fee of £40 applies for all delegates, regardless of the ticket price (discounted or full price).

• Cancellation From February 10th until end of February 23rd, 2025 

-  A cancellation fee of £80 applies for all delegates, regardless of the ticket price.

• No Cancellations From February 24, 2025

- After February 24, 2025, no cancellations will be accepted, and the full fee will be forfeited.

Important Notes:

• The booking fee is non-refundable.

• All times referenced are based on the UK time zone and deadlines will end at 23:59 on the specified date.

• The cancellation fee applies to all delegates, irrespective of whether they registered at the discounted rate or the full fee.

• If you are unsure about whether the workshop is right for you, we encourage you to reach out to us before registering.

Certificates of attendance (equivalent to 14 CPD points) will be sent to all delegates within 10 working days of the session. 

My name is Obaid. I have been an Emergency Physician for over 11 years - initially as a Specialist Emergency Physician in India, then as a EM Registrar in London & now currently in EM training in Leeds. 

During my early years in EM, I had a mentor in a Cardiologist who taught me the basic concepts of ECGs. Every week we used to have a dedicated 2 hour ECG teaching moderated by the Cardiology team during which we covered one chapter from Leo Schamroth's 'An Introduction to Electrocardiography'. Over a period of 6-7 months we covered the entire book. This was repeated multiple times over the next few years. This rigorous training completely changed the way I interpreted ECGs. It also sparked  in me a lifelong passion to learn more about ECGs. As a result, I have spent a significant part of the last decade learning as well as teaching ECG interpretation.

Since settling in the UK, I have been getting invited regularly to do ECG teaching at both at different trusts within the NHS as well as for A&E trainees outside of the UK. In 2024, I was honoured to be invited to conduct ECG Workshops on Subtle ACS at RCEM's EMTA Conference (2024) & Oxford's OSEM Conference (2024).   

Given the number of ECGs we see in the A&E on a daily basis and our reliance on them for making disposition decisions, we need to be really good with ECGs. I strongly believe that advanced ECG interpretation is not just possible in A&E, but a mandatory skill for all Emergency Physicians. However, contrary to what some clinicians think, this is not a skillset that can be acquired passively 'on the job'; it requires deliberate, structured effort. 

But unfortunately, most traditional ECG teaching resources are focussed at MBBS doctors who wish to learn basic ECG interpretation. There are limited resources which are specifically designed to meet the needs of experienced clinicians in Senior Decision Maker roles who are already competent with basic ECG interpretation, but wish to learn advanced ECG interpretation that is appropriate for their specialty. 

It is to address this key gap in traditional ECG teaching that I have decided to use Practical ECG Courses as a platform to provide access to advanced ECG interpretation for Senior Clinicians in acute specialities like A&E and Acute Medicine. All my sessions are specifically designed to address this gap in traditional ECG teaching. I employ a Concept Based Approach to ECG interpretation, which not only enables an deeper understanding of different pathologies, but also helps delegates develop  advanced ECG interpretation beyond pattern recognition. Everything that is taught is carefully selected because it has some practical relevance in A&E. So far, all the reviews & feedback from the sessions organised so far has made it abundantly clear that there are many A&E clinicians out there who appreciate & value this unique skillset as it helps them interpret ECGs more confidently & therefore make better decisions regarding their patients & avoiding common errors.

My longterm vision is to change how ECGs are interpreted in the A&E, we must go beyond basic pattern recognition and use a balanced approach where in both pattern recognition & deductive analysis go hand in hand when interpreting ECGs. This session is yet another step in this journey of mine.