Task Force 6: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Training in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Fellows' perspectives on training in adult congenital heart disease: Results of a survey from the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD)

“…With regard to training in various ACHD subspecialties, fellows had the least experience and were the least satisfied with training in advanced imaging modalities (CT and MRI); while they recognized the importance of this training for future employment. This finding is timely and highly relevant for ACHD training programs because advanced imaging modalities have acquired a central role in patient management [8][9][10] and direct experience with MRI and CT is now considered mandatory for all ACHD specialists [3][4][5]. The results of this survey suggest that current fellows' experiences with advanced imaging modalities may fail to meet current criteria for ACHD training [3][4][5].…”

“…To promote and advance these improved outcomes during the next decades, a growing number of dedicated adult CHD (ACHD) centers and specialists are needed. Recent consensus based guidelines outline requirements of ACHD specialty training [3,4]. Fellows with a background in pediatric cardiology, need formal training in the management of acquired cardiac and non-cardiac disease [4].…”

“…Recent consensus based guidelines outline requirements of ACHD specialty training [3,4]. Fellows with a background in pediatric cardiology, need formal training in the management of acquired cardiac and non-cardiac disease [4]. Fellows embarking on ACHD training following adult cardiology training need additional education and experience in the anatomic and physiologic concepts of CHD [4,5].…”

“…Fellows with a background in pediatric cardiology, need formal training in the management of acquired cardiac and non-cardiac disease [4]. Fellows embarking on ACHD training following adult cardiology training need additional education and experience in the anatomic and physiologic concepts of CHD [4,5]. For both cohorts of trainees, direct experience in various subspecialties of ACHD, such as heart failure, imaging and intervention, is vital [3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Fellows embarking on ACHD training following adult cardiology training need additional education and experience in the anatomic and physiologic concepts of CHD [4,5]. For both cohorts of trainees, direct experience in various subspecialties of ACHD, such as heart failure, imaging and intervention, is vital [3][4][5][6][7]. As these training requirements by definition require individualization based upon each fellow's previous training experiences, it is important to ascertain whether current ACHD training programs satisfy both training requirements and fellows' needs.…”