Program Description

 

Our Adult Cardiology Residency Training Program is a 3-year program committed to developing highly competent and compassionate cardiologists. The program provides comprehensive training aligned with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification requirements, preparing residents for independent practice as consultants in clinical cardiology. We emphasize individualized learning plans and close mentorship by our expert faculty, ensuring that each resident receives the support and guidance needed to achieve their full potential regardless of their chosen career paths.

Duration

3 years. Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

Clinical Training

Residents gain extensive clinical experience at the University Hospital and Victoria Hospital sites of the London Health Sciences Centre, both offering comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary cardiology services. These sites provide clinical services to a catchment area of over 2 million people, allowing trainees to engage with high clinical volumes of patient care, diagnostic testing, and procedures. Training experiences including at least two rotations in heart failure, and exposure to a cardiac surgery intensive care unit.

The integrated training program is composed of carefully-structured, goal and objective-specific, 4-week rotations designed to develop an appropriate level of expertise in the following areas: 

  • Ambulatory and consultative cardiology
  • The coronary care unit and post-CCU management
  • Post-cardiac surgery care
  • Cardiac emergencies
  • Electrocardiography, exercise stress testing, and Holter monitoring
  • M-mode, 2D and doppler echocardiography *All trainees have the opportunity to complete requirements to fulfill “Independent interpreter” if desired
  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography
  • Nuclear cardiology
  • Temporary and permanent pacemaker insertion and management
  • Other procedural skills, including cardioversions and pericardiocentesis
  • Pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Clinical cardiac electrophysiology and device management
  • Heart failure and transplantation
  • Advanced cardiac imaging
  • Electives (four blocks)

 

In addition, opportunities exist for experience in the following focus areas:

  • Interventional cardiology
  • Transesophageal echocardiography
  • Atherosclerosis prevention program

 

Throughout their training, residents are supported by dedicated supervisors for each rotation, ensuring clear goals and comprehensive evaluations. Residents participate in the on-call schedule, including Coronary Care Unit coverage, and develop longitudinal ambulatory cardiology experience through dedicated clinic blocks in their C1 year and mentored clinics in their C2 and C3 years.

Educational Activities

Our program fosters a culture of lifelong learning through a diverse range of educational activities. There are at least five hours of mandatory teaching activities provided each week, including:

  • Weekly core curriculum seminars, presented predominantly by faculty, provide a foundation in key cardiovascular concepts.
  • Weekly graphics rounds, presented by faculty, provide approaches to diagnostic test interpretation
  • Weekly Cardiology grand rounds provide exposure to leading experts in the field

Additional academic programming includes:

  • Journal clubs and critical appraisal sessions to develop critical appraisal skills
  • Research curriculum to develop research expertise, and opportunity to present at Annual Resident Research Day
  • Multidisciplinary simulations with other specialties
  • Novel AI-driven echocardiography scanning simulator to supplement clinical experiences in acquiring scanning skills to fulfill criteria for independent interpreter.
  • Quality improvement skills, acquired through participation in Bootcamp in Sustainable Quality program in second year of training

 

We encourage participation in relevant departmental and faculty programs, and support attendance at a national cardiology conference each year. The program provides funding support for residents presenting at conferences. Residents also have opportunities to develop their teaching and communication skills through involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

The program provides additional teaching sessions to support exam preparations, including practice written exams, high-yield graphics review sessions, and practice OSCEs.

We prioritize resident well being through a variety of social events and activities designed to foster camaraderie and support and promote a healthy work-life balance.

 

For more information please refer to the CARMS website or contact:

Program Administrator:  Donna Hill (donna.hill@lhsc.on.ca)

Telephone: 519.663.3830

Fax: 519.663.3218