Assessment

The cardiology training program broadly is divided into three areas:

1. Inpatient and consultation
2. Outpatient practice
3. Invasive and non-invasive procedural and diagnostic testing

The methods of assessing such procedural competence (cardiac catheterization, invasive procedures, cardioversions, echo/TEE, nuclear, etc.) are done through several mechanisms. Fellows will be supervised in all phases of invasive procedures in the cardiac cath lab, electrophysiology lab, and non-invasive lab for TEE procedures and cardioversions. Assessment is done through direct, daily supervision and instruction and through written and verbal feedback monthly after the rotation is completed. Procedure logs will be reviewed at least annually and a clinical competency committee will provide oversight for the trainee and for progression to advance in training. A review of outcomes will be periodically conducted in morbidity and mortality conference and in area-specific safety and quality assessments through a review of procedural outcomes. Memorial Medical Center also has a simulation center of very high quality which will be utilized for assessment of procedural competence and for training. A procedural simulator exists for invasive cardiology procedures. In addition, the ABIM forms are used to help measure the trainee’s progress.