Cardiovascular Medicine (formerly known as Cardiology) is generally stereotyped as the most high profile and practical skill based of the medical specialties. Despite this not entirely unfair image of cardiologists, the subject of cardiovascular medicine embraces a very wide range of clinical activities. Cardiovascular medicine enjoys an unrivalled evidence base of effective preventive and therapeutic options. The new imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance and CT scanning will certainly complement and probably challenge the invasive investigations performed in the cardiac catheter laboratory. The expert clinical management of patients with heart failure, cardiomyopathy or atrial fibrillation is as rewarding as the quasi-surgical skills demanded of the coronary or electrophysiological interventionalist.
If you are decisive, energetic, interested in effective therapies, and enjoy working in a team that includes specialist nurses, cardiac physiologists and cardiac surgeons, then cardiology may well be the Specialty for you. Cardiovascular medicine is determined to evolve in a way which continues to make it attractive to the brightest medical graduates irrespective of gender. Despite out-dated perceptions, the specialty welcomes female doctors.
There is a wide variety of opportunities for research in Cardiovascular Medicine. The Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) and its academic sub-committee, will help to advise trainees wishing to develop their academic potential whilst obtaining a CCT in the specialty.
Trainees can also apply to undertake a dual training programme with General Internal Medicine as well as Cardiovascular Medicine. This will enable them to achieve a CCT in Cardiovascular Medicine and a CCT in General Internal Medicine. For guidance on how to undertake dual training with General Internal Medicine click here.
Competence Based Curricula and Assessment - StRs (for trainees who commenced training from 1 August 2007 to present)
There are two versions of curricula for this training period:
StRs who commenced training between 1st August 2007 and 3rd August 2010 will follow the 2007 version of their specialty curriculum and the 2007 Generic curriculum. Please see the 2007 Curriculum section of this webpage.
StRs who commenced training from 4th August 2010 onwards will use the 2010 version of their specialty curriculum. There is no need to follow the previously known ‘Generic curriculum' as this has now been embedded into the specialty curriculum. Please see the 2010 Curriculum section of this webpage.
The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) is pleased to announce the 2010 Cardiovascular medicine curriculum which has been reviewed and rewritten to:
- meet the GMC's 6 new standards as detailed in their Standards for Curricula and Assessment systems
- keep up to date with medical advances and changes in the service and training
- incorporate the framework documents produced by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) detailing Common, Medical Leadership and Health Inequality competencies
- include 5 new assessment methods (Acute Care Assessment Tool, Case based Discussion, Patient Survey, Teaching Observation and Audit Assessment).
This new curriculum has improved content, design and usability compared to its predecessors, and reflects a great deal of hard work and time expended by specialty curriculum groups. This curriculum will become the training manual for all trainees entering ST3 from 4th August 2010.
For further information on the 2010 curriculum it is recommended that you read the Quick Start Curriculum Guide.
If you have any queries or problems regarding the 2010 curriculum please email ptb@jrcptb.org.uk.
Core Training Programmes
Entry into Cardiolovascular medicine training is possible following successful completion of both a foundation programme and a core training programme.
There are 2 core training programmes for Cardiovascular medicine training:
Assessment
The following methods are used as part of the integrated assessment system:
The assessment blueprint, which is embedded in the clinical syllabus, shows the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprint for guidance on the appropriate assessment methods for each aspect of the curriculum, and so plan the training programme according to the criteria set by the ARCP Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
The diagram below describes the training pathway:
Please view the 2010 curriculum for Cardiovascular medicine for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Entry into Cardiovascular medicine training is possible following successful completion of both a Foundation programme and a core training programme.
Please view the 2007 curriculum for Cardiology for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Assessment
The assessment blueprints show the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprints for guidance on the appropriate assessment methods for each aspect of the curriculum, and so plan the training programme according to the criteria set by the ARCP/RITA Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
Further information on the various methods of assessment can be viewed in the Assessment section of this website.
The diagram below describes the training pathways in general terms.
Competence Based Curricula - SpR (for trainees who commenced training between 1 Jan 2003 and 31 July 2007)
The JCHMT introduced revised curricula for all the medical specialties together with a generic curriculum that applied to all trainees back in 2003. These are competence-based and set out the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be acquired by trainees before they may be awarded a CCT.
Curricula - SpR (for trainees who commenced training before 1 Jan 2003)
The curricula for trainees enrolling pre 01/01/03 are no longer available on the website but can be obtained by request to ptb@jrcptb.org.uk
Current members of the Cardiovascular medicine Specialist Advisory Committee. Please contact the
Committee Manager for further details.