ardiologist Training through the Residency System: a Proposal of the Teaching Area of SAC

pp. 237-241

Abstract

Residency is an in-service training system, based on supervised and evaluated scheduled activities. A residency program to train cardiologists must necessarily meet some conditions: it should be inserted in a healthcare establishment duly authorized
by a competent authority and have equipment and trained human resources interested in teaching. The program must be formalized in a written document specifying professional skills to be achieved, practical activities and evaluation instances. Likewise, the document should detail working administrative conditions (workload, scholarship/salary, insurance and other rights and responsibilities). Training in Cardiology requires four years: the first year dedicated to Internal Medicine with two months in Intensive Care, and three years in Cardiology. It must necessarily include an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course implemented according to the American Heart Association regulations. The residency program structure is based on rotations in the various areas of the Cardiology service; the resident participates in Continuing Education activities developed in the service (forums, rounds, seminars). It must include formative and cumulative evaluations using tools as the mini-CEX, clinical case discussions (CCD) and direct observation of procedures (DOP), and in all cases a constructive feedback should be provided. It is recommended to complement service training with a postgraduate course so that a specialist degree is achieved at the end of the residency after having fulfilled all the instances of the evaluation process.