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.