Organized by the health centers and cantonal associations of physicians of the Herzegovina-Neretva and West Herzegovina cantons, a full-day School of Electrocardiography intended for primary healthcare physicians was held on November 8, 2025 at the Grude Health Center.
This intensive educational program aimed to improve knowledge and practical skills in ECG interpretation, with special emphasis on the early recognition of cardiovascular emergencies. The event brought together a large number of participants from various healthcare institutions in the region, including health centers, emergency medical services, and specialist outpatient clinics.
Organization and course of the education program
The program was organized as a full-day workshop that included a combination of theoretical lectures and practical work. In the introductory part, the goals of the education program were presented, along with the importance of proper ECG interpretation in primary care and the role of family medicine physicians in the early detection of cardiovascular diseases.
After the introductory remarks, a series of lectures and interactive sessions followed, during which participants had the opportunity to:
- refresh their knowledge of the basic principles of electrocardiography,
- become familiar with advanced approaches to ECG analysis,
- work on examples of real ECG findings from everyday clinical practice,
- discuss dilemmas in interpretation of findings and clinical decision-making.
A special segment was dedicated to the simulation of clinical scenarios, where participants, based on ECG recordings and a brief clinical description, jointly reached conclusions about further diagnostic and therapeutic steps.
Dr. Gluhović as a lecturer at the School of Electrocardiography for primary care physicians in Grude
Mr. Dr. Milan Gluhović was invited as a lecturer and one of the key educators during the program.
Thanks to his extensive clinical experience and many years of involvement in medical education,
Dr. Gluhović made a special contribution to the quality of this school.
In his lecture, he focused primarily on practical ECG interpretation, with clear and directly applicable guidelines for the everyday work of family and general medicine physicians. The emphasis was on ensuring that the ECG is not perceived merely as a “technical finding,” but as an important part of the patient’s overall clinical picture.
Main topics of Dr. Gluhović’s lecture
- Basic and advanced principles of ECG analysis – a systematic approach to interpretation, from rhythm and heart rate assessment to analysis of waves and segments.
- Recognition of arrhythmias in primary care – how to distinguish benign from potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Differential diagnosis of chest pain based on ECG – when ECG is sufficient to raise suspicion of acute coronary syndrome, and when additional diagnostics are needed.
- ECG signs of emergency conditions – situations that require immediate action, referral to hospital, or activation of emergency medical services.
- The most common mistakes in ECG interpretation and how to avoid them – practical advice for avoiding incorrect conclusions in everyday work.
The lecture was highly interactive: participants had the opportunity to solve a series of ECG examples, ask questions, and discuss clinical scenarios directly related to their everyday work in the outpatient clinic. In this way, theory was immediately connected with practice.
Focus on primary healthcare physicians
One of the key goals of the School of Electrocardiography in Grude was to strengthen the role of primary healthcare in the management of cardiovascular patients. Since family medicine physicians are often the first to come into contact with patients who have chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fainting, their ability to interpret ECGs quickly and accurately is of crucial importance.
Through practical examples, the following was emphasized:
- when a patient can be safely monitored at the primary care level,
- when it is necessary to urgently refer the patient to a higher level of healthcare,
- how to communicate findings to the patient and their family in an understandable way.
Participant impressions and plans for the future
Participants particularly highlighted the practical value of the education program, emphasizing that the knowledge acquired during the school could be applied as early as the next working day in their outpatient clinics. Positive reactions also referred to the clarity of the lectures, the logical structure of the program, and the openness of the lecturers to questions and discussion.
The organizers expressed their intention for this type of education to become a regular practice, with plans to
organize advanced modules in electrocardiography, as well as education programs in other areas of cardiology and emergency
medicine that are important for primary care physicians.
The importance of such education programs for the healthcare system
The School of Electrocardiography in Grude represents an important form of continuing medical education in the region. At a time when cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, investing in the knowledge and skills of primary care physicians has a direct impact on the timely recognition and adequate management of patients.
Such programs contribute to:
- improving the quality of healthcare,
- better cooperation between primary and secondary/tertiary healthcare,
- reducing the risk of incorrect assessment of the patient’s condition,
- strengthening physicians’ professional competencies and confidence.
Dr. Gluhović’s participation as a lecturer confirms his long-standing contribution to medical education and the dissemination of professional knowledge, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region. His involvement in such programs further motivates physicians to continue their professional development, for the benefit of their patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
