Objective:By combining image memory with educational games, electrocardiogram (ECG) images were integrated with card games to simplify complex ECG knowledge and visualize abstract concepts. This approach stimulated students' motivation to learn within the game, thereby enhancing their cognitive abilities and aiding them in mastering ECG-related knowledge.Methods:Through literature search and brainstorming, ECG learning flash cards and game process were designed. Using the convenience sampling method, 55 medical students from a university were selected to conduct the self-designed questionnaire before and after using ECG flash cards to evaluate the efficacy of flash cards in enhancing ECG learning outcomes. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted on the satisfaction with the flash cards.Results:Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the score of students from different majors. For students who had studied ECG within 1 month and 6 months, the difference in correct recognition rate between them was relatively small, which were 57.50% and 54.51%, respectively. For students who had not studied ECG, the correct recognition rate after training was only 18.06%. After the intervention, 42 valid questionnaires were collected. The overall correct rate of ECG recognition increased by 17.86%. The correct recognition rate of ventricular fibrillation increased significantly from 30.91% to 64.29%; the correct recognition rate of supraventricular tachycardia was improved only by 5.50%. The correct ECG recognition rate was significantly higher after the intervention than before the intervention ( P<0.01). The results of qualitative interviews indicated that the ECG game cards were interesting, practical, and generalizable. However, there was room for improvement in the distinctiveness of key graphics, the richness of information on cards, and the diversity of rule design. Conclusions:ECG recognition is hard to master for beginners. The use of ECG flash cards simplifies the process of ECG recognition and stimulates students' initiative in learning, thus improving the overall correct ECG recognition rate.

Objective:By combining image memory with educational games, electrocardiogram (ECG) images were integrated with card games to simplify complex ECG knowledge and visualize abstract concepts. This approach stimulated students' motivation to learn within the game, thereby enhancing their cognitive abilities and aiding them in mastering ECG-related knowledge.Methods:Through literature search and brainstorming, ECG learning flash cards and game process were designed. Using the convenience sampling method, 55 medical students from a university were selected to conduct the self-designed questionnaire before and after using ECG flash cards to evaluate the efficacy of flash cards in enhancing ECG learning outcomes. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted on the satisfaction with the flash cards.Results:Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the score of students from different majors. For students who had studied ECG within 1 month and 6 months, the difference in correct recognition rate between them was relatively small, which were 57.50% and 54.51%, respectively. For students who had not studied ECG, the correct recognition rate after training was only 18.06%. After the intervention, 42 valid questionnaires were collected. The overall correct rate of ECG recognition increased by 17.86%. The correct recognition rate of ventricular fibrillation increased significantly from 30.91% to 64.29%; the correct recognition rate of supraventricular tachycardia was improved only by 5.50%. The correct ECG recognition rate was significantly higher after the intervention than before the intervention ( P<0.01). The results of qualitative interviews indicated that the ECG game cards were interesting, practical, and generalizable. However, there was room for improvement in the distinctiveness of key graphics, the richness of information on cards, and the diversity of rule design. Conclusions:ECG recognition is hard to master for beginners. The use of ECG flash cards simplifies the process of ECG recognition and stimulates students' initiative in learning, thus improving the overall correct ECG recognition rate.