Training cardiovascular specialists in imaging: a curriculum based on fundamental concepts required for multimodal imaging

Defining characteristics of early adopters of multimodality cardiovascular imaging

BACKGROUND

The prototype for the cardiovascular imager has evolved to necessitate some degree of competency in multimodality imaging (MMI)-defined as expertise in at least 2 of the 4 modalities (echocardiography [ECHO], nuclear cardiology [NUC], cardiovascular computed tomography [CCT], and magnetic resonance [CMR]). Uncertainty exists about the effects of this change.

METHODS

Information detailing the current totals of board-certified practitioners in MMI was collected and organized into groups of 1, 2, and 3 modalities. A randomized stratified sample of names was obtained to identify a representative 10% of each group. Those names were cross-referenced online with information from state medical boards, faculty rosters of academic medical centers, and physician tracking Websites.

RESULTS

There are a total of 2209 board-certified MMI practitioners (2 modalities = 1885, 3 modalities = 324) and 6450 single-modality imagers in the United States. Of those sampled, 98.9% were cardiologists, 31.3% were at academic medical centers and mean time from medical school graduation was 17.75 years. MMI practitioners were more likely to have graduated from medical school more recently (P < 0.0001) and to be trained cardiologists (P = 0.003) than those who practice in a single modality. There was a nonsignificant trend toward MMI being practiced more commonly in an academic setting (P = 0.38).

CONCLUSION

Board-certified specialists in MMI tend to be younger cardiologists than those engaged in single-modality cardiac imaging. There are few advanced (3 modality) MMI practitioners in the United States.

Cardiac imaging training in radiology residency programs: a survey of radiology chief residents

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Comprehensive training in cardiac imaging during radiology residency is imperative if radiologists are to maintain a significant role in this rapidly growing field. In this study, radiology chief residents were surveyed to assess the current status of cardiac imaging training in radiology residency programs. The responses to this survey may be helpful in understanding current trends in cardiac imaging training and how such training can be improved in the future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chief residents at accredited radiology residency programs were sent an e-mail with a link to a 17-question Web-based survey. The survey assessed the organization of cardiac imaging training in each residency program, imaging modalities incorporated into cardiac imaging training, the role of residents on cardiac imaging rotations, and attitudes of residents about their cardiac imaging training and the future of cardiac imaging.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 52 of 112 (46%) programs. Seventy-one percent had at least one dedicated cardiac imaging rotation during their residencies. Fifty-two percent and 62% of respondents reported <5 hours of cardiac imaging-related case conferences and didactic lectures per year, respectively. Most had cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging incorporated into their cardiac imaging training. Although 92% felt that cardiac imaging training is important, only 17% felt that they currently received adequate training in cardiac imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of residency programs represented in this survey had at least one dedicated cardiac imaging rotation for their residents. Most of these programs had few cardiac imaging-related conferences and lectures per year. Although most chief residents believed that cardiac imaging training is important, only a minority felt that they currently received adequate training in cardiac imaging.

Didactics and training in cardiovascular computed tomography angiography

As the role of cardiovascular computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is further expanded through research, the use of this technology will expand as a result of demand both from medical professionals and the public. To ensure a standardized quality of interpretation of these scans in the face of an increased demand for physicians qualified to interpret these studies, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, along with several other professional societies, has proposed a didactic curriculum for the study of CCTA. This review highlights the currently proposed didactic curriculum for the study of CCTA, examines current trends in training for both medical trainees and physicians in practice, and proposes future directions for the study of CCTA.