Evaluation of the UK Intervention Subspecialty Programme: The Trainees' Experience

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Education
• Interventional Cardiology Training

Background:

• Interventional cardiology (IC) is a competitive subspecialty with evolving UK training curricula.
• Concerns exist regarding the impact of curriculum changes on the quality of IC training.
• This study provides a current snapshot of UK interventional cardiology training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of interventional cardiology training in the UK.
• To evaluate trainee confidence and exposure to key procedures and techniques.
• To identify areas for improvement in the training program.

Main Methods:

• A 68-question survey was distributed to UK interventional cardiology trainees via the British Cardiovascular Interventional Society mailing list in November 2023.
• The survey collected data on procedural numbers, use of adjunct techniques, and confidence levels.
• Data from 60 trainees (38% response rate) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Most trainees (78%) are on the older 2010 curriculum, with median first-operator percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of 101-200 in the first year.
• Trainee confidence is high for radial access (98%) and intravascular lithotripsy (83%), but lower for femoral access (62%) and rotational atherectomy (23%).
• Half of trainees feel unprepared for consultancy due to insufficient procedural experience, leading 65% to plan fellowship years.

Conclusions:

• UK interventional cardiology training is generally rated positively, but procedural volume and preparedness for independent practice require attention.
• A significant proportion of trainees require extended training, often through fellowships, to gain adequate experience.
• Continuous evaluation of the new 2022 curriculum's impact on IC training standards is critical.