Cardiology

Components of Training

The minimum three years of accredited training will include a two year period of both core and optional training and a further year of elective training devoted to gaining proficiency and further experience in clinically related fields or in a research program.

Core training is a mandatory part of advanced training. Instruction and experience must be gained in all elements within the three year total program for full accreditation of training. Optional training includes extended experience in core fields and provides opportunities in other areas. While it is expected that training will be as broad as possible, it is realised that not all trainees will gain comprehensive experience in all areas.

Core Training:

Clinical Diagnosis and Management
Trainees should become skilled in all aspects of the clinical diagnosis and management of acute and chronic adult heart disease.

Emergency and Coronary Care
Experience is required in the emergency department and coronary care unit as well as in the ward and ambulant care areas and in cardiac rehabilitation.

Non Invasive Diagnostic Procedures
A high standard of competence must be achieved in performing and/or reporting the following investigations - ECGs, chest radiographs, exercise tests, Holter monitors, transthoracic echocardiograms.

Invasive Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Significant experience must be obtained performing right and left heart catheters and coronary angiography, temporary transvenous pacemakers, pericardial aspiration and jugular/subclavian catheterisation.

Applied Medical Sciences
There must be development of a sound knowledge of physiology and pathology and some knowledge of genetics and molecular biology.

Nuclear Cardiology and Radiation Safety
Knowledge and experience must be gained in nuclear cardiology including the interpretation of myocardial perfusion studies and the principles of radiation safety.

Cardiac Surgery
There must be development of a sound understanding of the indications for cardiac surgery and the principles of postoperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

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