Paediatric and adult congenital cardiology education and training in Europe.
Cardiol Young
; 32(12): 1966-1983, 2022 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35227341
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Limited data exist on training of European paediatric and adult congenital cardiologists.METHODS:
A structured and approved questionnaire was circulated to national delegates of Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology in 33 European countries.RESULTS:
Delegates from 30 countries (91%) responded. Paediatric cardiology was not recognised as a distinct speciality by the respective ministry of Health in seven countries (23%). Twenty countries (67%) have formally accredited paediatric cardiology training programmes, seven (23%) have substantial informal (not accredited or certified) training, and three (10%) have very limited or no programme. Twenty-two countries have a curriculum. Twelve countries have a national training director. There was one paediatric cardiology centre per 2.66 million population (range 0.87-9.64 million), one cardiac surgical centre per 4.73 million population (range 1.63-10.72 million), and one training centre per 4.29 million population (range 1.63-10.72 million population). The median number of paediatric cardiology fellows per training programme was 4 (range 1-17), and duration of training was 3 years (range 2-5 years). An exit examination in paediatric cardiology was conducted in 16 countries (53%) and certification provided by 20 countries (67%). Paediatric cardiologist number is affected by gross domestic product (R2 = 0.41).CONCLUSION:
Training varies markedly across European countries. Although formal fellowship programmes exist in many countries, several countries have informal training or no training. Only a minority of countries provide both exit examination and certification. Harmonisation of training and standardisation of exit examination and certification could reduce variation in training thereby promoting high-quality care by European congenital cardiologists.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cardiology
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Cardiol Young
Journal subject:
ANGIOLOGIA
/
CARDIOLOGIA
/
PEDIATRIA
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ireland