Ambulatory care training in cardiology: redefining the traditional arena of learning

Fiscal restraint, consolidation of resources and services, and restructuring have led to changes in the case mix of teaching hospitals, which places limitations on the education of medical trainees in this environment and has sparked growing interest in the teaching of clinical medicine in the ambulatory care setting. Early attempts to emphasize ambulatory care in training programs, and the strengths and weaknesses of this teaching forum are reviewed, and a model of its application to the discipline of cardiology is offered.