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Medical Officers' Careers Guide: Cardiology

Specialty

Description

Cardiology is a branch of Internal Medicine concerned with prevention, investigation and therapy of, and research into, diseases involving the cardiovascular system. Established sub-specialisations include echocardiology, electrophysiology, interventional (and structural) cardiology, cardiac imaging, heart failure and cardiac transplant and vascular medicine. Paediatric cardiology is entered through paediatric training pathways.

Cardiology is a medical speciality unique for the potential range of procedural work which can be undertaken. Cardiologists all train in echocardiography, coronary angiography and right heart catheterisation. Subspeciality post-fellowship training allows the acquiring skills in percutaneous coronary interventions, electrophysiology studies, ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, implantation of cardiac devices including pacemakers and defibrillators and increasingly more structural work including percutaneous valve replacement. Cardiology is a speciality unique for encompassing the entire patient care process from preventative care to definitive diagnostic investigations and management. As a speciality cardiology is often on the cutting edge of new technological development and offers numerous opportunities to be a part of that development process.

Training Overview

Entry requirements to Training Program

  1. Complete Basic Physician Training
  2. Current medical registration
  3. Apply for a position as an Advanced Trainee through QH RMO campaign.  Selection is made by a centralised, regional selection process.

 Overview of Training Program

  • 3 years of core training settings
  • 1-2 years fellowship in subspecialty

  What rotations are recommended prior to applying for training

  • No specific rotations recommended. However, don’t do only cardiology terms, it is preferable to obtain good general medicine exposure.

 How to improve your chances of selection

  • Research from early in your medical training
  • A diversity of registrar level jobs
  • Postgraduate academic qualification becoming more common
  • M.Phil is encouraged at TPCH

Advantages of Starting a Career at TPCH

  • Largest cardiology centre in the country
  • Heart Lung Institute
  • Exposure to the cardiac transplant and mechanical cardiac device program
  • Exposure to structural cardiology interventions including percutaneous valve replacement procedures (TAVI)
  • Well established research reputation

College

TPCH has current College accreditation for nine (9) core training positions

FAQs

These questions will vary from Program to Program as thought to be most relevant. If you have any suggestions as to how the information on this site can be improved, please comment.

Workforce Projections

As cardiovascular diseases are increasing and are a leading cause of death and morbidity in the population, the demand for cardiologists will continue to grow.  However, tends to be oversubscribed with applicants so it is important to discuss career direction early with the training coordinator.

Contact Us

Medical Education Unit
Email:   TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3139 4221

Contact:  Program Director or Education Coordinator, Cardiology

Reviewed: March 2018