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GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
Objectives
The main objective of the Fellowship Training Program in Cardiovascular Disease is to provide an academically and clinically rigorous training program to give the trainee outstanding skills in general cardiology, as well as advanced training in either a clinical cardiology subspecialty or cardiovascular research. The aim of the program is to provide the trainee with the basic and clinical knowledge, procedural skills, clinical judgment, professionalism and interpersonal skills required as a specialist in cardiovascular diseases. This training will prepare our fellows to function not only as highly competent cardiologists, but also as either subspecialists in a clinical area or investigators in the field of cardiovascular research.
Program Duration
The core fellowship program includes six trainees per year for a minimum of three years. The program in cardiovascular diseases consists of core rotations (24-26 months) dedicated to mastering the core skills in clinical cardiology. Ten to 12 months of electives, most of which are in the third year, allow the fellow to select advanced training in either invasive cardiology, clinical electrophysiology, noninvasive imaging, heart failure, or a program in cardiovascular research. Fellows are encouraged to focus training in one of these areas. Fellows anticipating a career in basic cardiovascular research will generally have a minimum of one, and often two, additional years of research training (total 4-5 years). Trainees interested in a career in clinical electrophysiology or interventional cardiology will have an additional year of training (total 4 years).
Requirements
The fellowship program follows the requirements for training in each of the area of cardiology as outlined in the Guidelines for Training in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine Core Cardiology Training Symposium (COCATS-2) published by the AHA and ACC. These guidelines are available for download at www.acc.org/qualityandscience/clinical/topic/topic.htm#clinicalcompetence. Fellows are expected to be familiar with these training guidelines, and ensure that their training is aligned with their own personal educational objectives.
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM
The fellowship program in Cardiovascular Disease consists of a minimum of a three year period of training during which 24-26 months are dedicated to basic clinical training. Three hospitals participate in this program: Rhode Island Hospital (RIH), The Miriam Hospital (TMH), and the VA Medical Center in Providence (VA). The training program offers advanced training in clinical subspecialties of cardiology (nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, cardiac MR, cardiac CT, cardiac catheterization/angioplasty, electrophysiology, heart failure) as well as academic research training. All fellows must complete a research project during the course of their fellowship, and must identify a clinical subspecialty or research area that becomes their primary focus after initial clinical training. Depending on the area of interest and individual fellows' performance, a fourth or fifth year of training may be offered. Throughout three years of clinical training, fellows maintain continuity clinics.
The organization of the training program is flexible, particularly in the 3rd year, and may be tailored to individual fellows' goals and interests. For most fellows, the basic clinical training period is followed by advanced clinical or research training. In certain cases, specialized research or clinical training may occur prior to basic clinical training. It is the intent of the fellowship administration to individualize training within ACGME and ACC/AHA guidelines to optimize each fellow's opportunities for a career in academic cardiology.
