Cardiology involves the care of patients with heart disease and covers a wide range of clinical activities. Management can involve interventional treatment and cardiac imaging and draws on a large evidence base of effective preventative and therapeutic options. Cardiologists work in multi-disciplinary teams which include specialist nurses, cardiac physiologists and cardiac surgeons.
Trainees undertake advanced specialist area modules in the final two years of Cardiology training. These modules include Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Non-invasive Imaging, Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) , Heart Failure and Inherited Cardiac Conditions. Trainees can also apply to undertake a dual training programme with General Internal Medicine (GIM).
There are a wide variety of opportunities for research in Cardiology. The Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) and its academic sub-committee helps to advise trainees wishing to develop their academic potential whilst obtaining a CCT in the specialty.
Entry into Cardiology training is possible following successful completion of both a Foundation Programme and a core training programme. There are two core training programme routes to Cardiology training:
- Core Medical Training (CMT)
- Acute Care Common Stem - Acute Medicine (ACCS-AM)
The curriculum has been reviewed and revisions were approved by the GMC in November 2015 and September 2016. Please see the curriculum and ARCP decision aids sections for the latest versions and information on the changes can be found in the forms and guidance section below.
The echocardiography curriculum delivery tool and the checklist for ACHD are available in the forms and gudiance section of this page.
The curriculum for each specialty defines the process of training and the competencies needed for the award of a certificate of completion of training (CCT). The curriculum includes the assessment system for measuring trainees’ progress comprising workplace based assessment and knowledge based assessment.
Please refer to the British Cardiovascular Society website for information on the knowledge based assessment in Cardiology (known as the EEGC).
The 2010 curriculum has been amended and changes were approved by the GMC in November 2015 and September 2016. Guidance on implementation of the curriculum amendments is provided in the forms and guidance section below.
2010 Cardiology Curriculum (amendments 2016).pdf
Previous versions of the curriculum are no longer available online but copies can be requested from curriculum@jrcptb.org.uk.
The ARCP decision aid for each specialty defines the targets that have to be achieved for a satisfactory ARCP outcome at the end of each training year. The ARCP decision aid has been revised to reflect the 2016 and 2015 amendments to the 2010 curriculum. The version below replaces all previous versions from November 2016.
2016 Curriculum Changes Guidance
The document below provides guidance on the 2016 amendments to the 2010 curriculum. Guidance on the 2015 changes is also provided for reference.
Guidance on implementation of Cardiology 2016 curriculum changes.pdf
Cardiology 2015 curriculum changes guidance.pdf
Echocardiography Curriculum Delivery Tool
Please refer to the 2016 changes implementation guidance and the curriculum for information on the use of the echocardiography tool.
Echo curriculum delivery tool Nov2016.docx
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Checklist
The following checklist should be used to confirm completion of core training in ACHD. Trainees should upload the signed document to their personal library on the eportfolio.
Cardiology ACHD Checklist.docx
Dual CCT training in Cardiology and General Internal Medicine (GIM)
Guidance on indicative training time for dual training programmes.
Dual CCT in Cardiology and GIM guidance February 2015.pdf
Allocation to Cardiology advanced modules guidance