[Characteristics of cardiologist training in Latin America: a survey of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology]. / Características de la formación de los cardiólogos en América Latina: una encuesta de la Sociedad Interamericana de Cardiología.

Objectives: Describe the characteristics of the different cardiology medical residencies in Latin America. Method: Cross-sectional study that aims to evaluate the characteristics of cardiology residencies in Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, through self-administered electronic surveys. Results: Three hundred seven residents of 147 residences were surveyed. Mean age was 31 years and 63% were male. Ninety eight percent carry out their training in the capital city. The average total training time is 4.8 years. Forty four percent complete their residency in internal medicine prior to starting cardiology, and 10% have no prior training. In cardiology training is 3 years in most countries. Fifty four percent present academic activities every day and 16% only once or less, consisting of theoretical classes (93%), clinical cases (85%), bibliographic workshops (69%), and writing scientific papers (68%). Supervision is carried out by the chief resident (45%), resident coordinator (44%), resident instructor (27%) or the department head (54%), while 2.6% do not present supervision. The main rotations were echocardiography (99%), hemodynamics (96%), coronary unit (93%), and electrophysiology (92%). Residents highlighted the need to improve academic activities (23%) and scientific production (12%). Conclusions: There are important differences in the academic and practical training between the residences of the different countries of America.

Objetivos: Describir las características de las diferentes residencias médicas de cardiología de Latinoamérica. Método: Estudio de corte transversal que tiene como objetivo evaluar las características de las residencias de cardiología en países hispanohablantes de América Latina, mediante encuestas electrónicas autoadministradas. Resultados: Se encuestó a 307 residentes de 147 residencias. La mediana de edad fue 31 años y el 63% era de sexo masculino. El 98% realiza su formación en la ciudad capital. El tiempo de formación total promedio es de 4.8 años. El 44% realiza la residencia completa en medicina interna previo al inicio de cardiología, y el 10% no tiene formación previa. En cardiología la formación es de tres años en la mayoría de los países. El 54% presenta actividades académicas todos los días y el 16% solo una vez o menos, consistente en clases teóricas (93%), casos clínicos (85%), ateneos bibliográficos (69%) y redacción de trabajos científicos (68%). La supervisión es realizada por el jefe de residentes (45%), coordinador de residentes (44%), instructor de residentes (27%) o el jefe de servicio (54%), mientras que el 2.6% no presenta supervisión. Las rotaciones principales fueron ecocardiografía (99%), hemodinamia (96%), unidad coronaria (93%) y electrofisiología (92%). El 23% resaltó la necesidad de mejorar las actividades académicas y 12% la producción científica. Conclusiones: Existen importantes diferencias en la formación académica y práctica entre las residencias de los diferentes países de América.

Aggression, Micro-aggression, and Abuse Against Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Latin American Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous consequences globally. Notably, increasing complaints of verbal and physical violence against health care providers have been reported. A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between January 11 and February 28, 2022 to delineate the violent behavior against front-line health professionals in Latin America. A total of 3544 participants from 19 countries were included. There were 58.5% women, 70.8% were physicians, 16% were nurses, and 13.2% were other health team members. About 54.8% reported acts of abuse: 95.6% verbal abuse, 11.1% physical abuse, and 19.9% other types. Nearly half of those who reported abuse experienced psychosomatic symptoms after the event, 56.2% considered changing their care tasks, and 33.6% considered quitting their profession. In a logistic regression model, nurses (odds ratio (OR) 1.90, P < 0.001), doctors (OR 2.11, P < 0.001), and administrative staff (OR 3.53, P = 0.005) experienced more abuse than other health workers. Women more frequently reported abuse (OR 1.56, P < 0.001), as well as those who worked directly with COVID-19 patients (OR 3.66, P < 0.001). A lower probability of abuse was observed at older ages (OR 0.95, P < 0.001). There has been a high prevalence of abuse against health personnel in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those caring for COVID-19 patients, younger staff, and women were found to be at elevated risk. It is imperative to develop strategies to mitigate these acts and their repercussions on the patient-provider relationship and outcomes.