The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Structural Heart Disease Early Career Task Force survey results: endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Over the last decade, structural heart disease interventions have emerged as a new field in interventional cardiology. Currently, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited interventional cardiology fellowship programs in the United States provide high-quality and well established training curriculum in coronary and peripheral interventions, but training in structural interventions remains in its infancy. The current survey seeks to collect relevant information and assess the opinion of interventional cardiology program directors in ACGME-accredited institutions that are actively involved in structural interventional training. Our study describes the actual number of structural procedures performed by interventional cardiology fellows in ACGME-accredited programs, the form of the structural training today and the suggestions from program directors who are actively trying to integrate structural training in the interventional cardiology fellowship programs.

Marmagkiolis K ，Hakeem A ，Cilingiroglu M ，Bailey SR ，Ruiz C ，Hijazi ZM ，Herrmann HC ，Zajarias A ，Goldberg SL ，Feldman T ... -  《-》

Structural heart diseases interventional training in Canada.

Structural heart disease interventions have evolved into an important component of interventional cardiology fellowship programs worldwide. Given the complexity of such interventions, the breadth of knowledge needed for optimal patient selection and postprocedural management, and the skills to perform them efficiently, advanced training has become mandatory. Postgraduate medical training in Canada has always been on the cutting edge of new technology, and excellent care is provided to the increasing population of adult patients with congenital heart disease. The current survey sought to collect relevant information and assess the opinion of interventional cardiology program directors in Canada regarding training in structural interventions. Our study reports the approximate number of structural procedures performed by interventional cardiology fellows in Canadian interventional cardiology fellowship programs, the form of the structural training, and the suggestions of program directors who are actively trying to integrate structural training into interventional cardiology fellowship programs.

Marmagkiolis K ，Alqoofi F ，Asgar A ，Boone RH ，Cilingiroglu M ... -  《-》

Interventional cardiology fellowship training in Canada: a report card using standardized criteria.

Several institutions in Canada offer fellowship training in interventional cardiology (IC). However, no national mechanism exists to ensure uniformity of training or assessment of final competency. A cross-sectional survey was carried out for physicians completing IC training from 2007 to 2009. The survey used a semistructured questionnaire to determine compliance with training components recommended by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). Sixty-six (78%) of 85 trainees from 15 programs participated in the study. All programs were affiliated with a university and associated with accredited programs in adult cardiology. Annual procedural volume of >1,500 and faculty volume of >250 were reported for 67% and 70% of programs. Annual trainee percutaneous coronary intervention volume of 250-350 was reported by 29%, 350-450 by 47%, and >450 by 24% of respondents. All respondents reported regular participation in case management rounds, and 54% reported formal instruction of structured curriculum; 91% reported participation in research, and 38% reported mandatory attendance in outpatient clinic. All respondents reported annual and 61% reported ≥2 performance evaluations per year; 45% of respondents reported formal trainee assessment of program and faculty. Canadian IC training meets ACGME/ACC recommendations for procedural volume and academic activity. However, participation in outpatient clinics and compliance with administrative requirement of faculty and program assessment by trainee was suboptimal. Formal accreditation is highly desirable to standardize program content and administration for optimal IC training.

Dehghani P ，Wood DA ，Sharieff W ，Basit N ，Cheema AN ... -  《-》

Results of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions survey of physicians and training directors on procedures for structural and valvular heart disease.

Minimal information is available on the number and type of procedures being performed for structural and valvular heart disease, the physicians who perform these procedures, and on the training requirements for this emerging field. Surveys were performed using an online survey of members of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), including its Council on Structural Heart Disease and the Congenital Heart Disease Committee. The responses of 107 US-based interventional cardiologists were analyzed. A second questionnaire of a purposive sample of 10 training directors of US interventional cardiology programs was also performed. Although many procedures (e.g., transseptal puncture, PFO, and ASD closure) are commonly performed by most respondents, others are limited to a significant minority of respondents (e.g., alcohol septal ablation, transcatheter valve repair, and implantation). In addition, the number of procedures performed varies greatly as does the training directors' estimate of the number necessary to gain proficiency. There is no single method being used to gain the requisite skills. A number of factors that limit the more widespread growth of this field were identified. The field of intervention for structural and valvular heart disease is new, growing rapidly, and will require a core knowledge base and new didactic methods. The cardiovascular community will be challenged to devise new training standards and credentialing approaches to serve interventionalists interested in this field.

Herrmann HC ，Baxter S ，Ruiz CE ，Feldman TE ，Hijazi ZM ，SCAI Council on Structural Heart Disease ... -  《-》

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation and influence on perceptions of pediatric otolaryngology fellowship training experience.

The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) has set a goal of universal accreditation of fellowship programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) by 2014. This study offers data comparing trainee experience at accredited vs nonaccredited programs. To evaluate perceptions of pediatric otolaryngology fellowship training experience and to elucidate differences between those who trained in ACGME-accredited fellowships vs those who did not. Web-based survey sent to all members of ASPO, as well as recent fellowship graduate ASPO-eligible physicians. Responses were obtained in an anonymous fashion. The study population comprised 136 ASPO members who recently graduated from pediatric otolaryngology fellowship programs (36 from ACGME-accredited fellowships and 100 from nonaccredited programs). Difference in perceived fellowship experience between graduates of accredited vs nonaccredited programs, specifically, differences in service vs education perceptions. Overall, a majority (64%) of respondents agreed that standardizing the pediatric fellowship curriculum through ACGME accreditation is a worthwhile goal. Those who attended ACGME-accredited fellowships were more likely to favor accreditation vs non-ACGME graduates (83% vs 58%; P = .006). Graduates of ACGME-accredited programs were also more likely to agree that their fellowship provided adequate preparation for a career in academic medicine (100% vs 89%; P = .04), protected time for research (94% vs 60%; P < .001), vacation and academic time (94% vs 78%; P = .03), and opportunities to formally evaluate their superiors (72% vs 32%; P < .001). Non-ACGME graduates reported higher primary call frequency (0.8 days per week vs 0.2 days per week; P = .01), and attending physician participation in rounds (71% vs 53%; P = .05). Most respondents were in agreement with universal ACGME accreditation. Those having trained in accredited programs cite increased allowance for research, academic and vacation time, more formal opportunities to evaluate their faculty, and decreased primary call burden.

Bedwell JR ，Choi S ，Chan K ，Preciado D ... -  《-》