"CARDIOLOGIST" Nature of Work: Cardiologists are doctors specialized in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases that mainly affect the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists usually work with a range of patients, from babies and young infants through to the elderly. They can treat or help you prevent several cardiovascular problems. They can also specialize in specific areas, such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, or heart problems you've had since birth. They can order tests like electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and CTs (computed tomography) to find out what’s wrong. With their diagnosis, they can order medicine, help you start a healthier exercise and eating habits, or do cardiac catheterization (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Duties and Responsibilities: According to the article released by Prospects (2022), as a cardiologist you can expect to: •treat patients by reviewing and understanding their medical backgrounds and examining them to assess their current condition and health •look at and employ ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating a range of heart-related problems •carry out tests such as echocardiograms and interpret test results to measure how effectively the heart is working, which will help you to decide on the best method of treatment perform specialist procedures, such as cardiac catheterization, to help diagnose and guide treatment of a variety of heart conditions carry out a range of advanced interventional or surgical cardiac procedures, such as coronary artery bypass surgery, stenting, or coronary angioplasty •prescribe medication to patients to help treat a range of cardiac illnesses •provide ongoing support and advice to patients under long-term care •work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating and liaising closely with colleagues •provide support and advice to colleagues working in other specialties • practice governance and audits within your department •complete administration, which can include anything from accurately recording patient interventions and referrals to overseeing budgetary information •teach and provide educational support and training for junior staff •carry out clinical research in your area of interest •be at the forefront of trailing breakthrough treatments and medication developed by pioneering research. Working Conditions: You may see a cardiologist in the hospital where they work. Other cardiologists may have their own private offices where they see patients. But most cardiologists work in clinics and hospitals that are generally fully equipped with modern technology. Work hours could frequently reach or exceed 60 hours per week, especially if they work in a specialization that is in high demand. Because cardiac events can occur at any time and are a medical emergency, cardiologists work on-call with irregular hours based on the surgical needs of their patients (Indeed, 2021). Working Hours: Cardiologists often work irregular hours and are frequently on call at the weekend. You need to be flexible as hours can belong. Cardiologists typically spend around 75% of their time per week on direct clinical care. The rest of the time is spent on support activities such as meetings, and providing advice to colleagues in other areas of specialism, clinical research, and teaching. There are some part-time cardiology opportunities are available (Prospects, 2022). Employment: A cardiologist is one of the highest-paid doctors in the medical sector. Cardiologists are in high demand all across the world, despite the fact that doctors are in high demand. Demand for cardiology services is expected to rise by 20% in countries all over the world by 2025 (Wealth, 2022). Recent studies revealed that the largest employer of cardiologists is the NHS, although there are also opportunities in private clinics, universities and academic institutions, the armed forces, and national governing bodies. Academic cardiologists can also expect to find positions within the NHS, universities, academic institutions, and the private sector (such as large medical health and pharmaceutical companies.) As a cardiologist, you'll also have excellent opportunities to work abroad. Trainings: In their article, Indeed (2021) highlights that entry-level cardiologists are required to have a doctoral degree in medicine before they can obtain their doctorate, they must complete their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. There is no specified major needed, but most future cardiologists opt for a major in biology, chemistry, or cardiovascular technology. Most medical schools require a prospective cardiologist to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) before being admitted into medical school. Medical school takes about four years to complete before the medical student receives their doctoral degree in medicine. After completing medical school, students must take part in residency training for general internal medicine and specialized cardiology. Residencies allow medical students to gain hands-on experience assisting in rotations under the supervision of a physician. Once the residency is complete, a future cardiologist must get a fellowship. During the fellowship, the doctor will work with other physicians within their specialization. They will get advanced training that prepares them for prevention, diagnosis, and care in the cardiological field. Future cardiologists are required to pass the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination and get a license before they can practice medicine. A prospective physician must pass the board certification exam to become certified. If they desire to have a subspecialty under cardiology, then they may have to take other certification exams. A cardiologist takes a lot of time, energy, and effort. It requires, at minimum 13 years of studying and training after high school and 10 years after undergrad. Earnings/Salary: As per Salary Expert (2022): The average cardiologist's gross salary in the Philippines is ₱1,776,212 or an equivalent hourly rate of ₱854. In addition, they earn an average bonus of ₱133,394. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in the Philippines. An entry-level cardiologist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ₱1,182,822. On the other end, a seniorlevel cardiologist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ₱2,411,207. Related Occupations: In their article, Indeed (2022) said that the following are the jobs related to Cardiology: 1. EKG technician Also known as electrocardiograph technicians, these medical professionals use EKG equipment to monitor blood pressure and heart performance. 2. Exercise physiologist Exercise physiologists develop customized exercise programs to help patients improve their overall health. They evaluate each patient's medical history and conduct stress tests to determine their current cardiovascular fitness level. 3. Cardiovascular technician A cardiovascular technician use electrocardiograms, Holter monitors, blood pressure tests, and stress tests to assess patients' health and identify what is causing their symptoms. 4. Respiratory therapist Respiratory therapists work with a wide variety of patients who experience breathing challenges. The conditions they treat include chronic respiratory heart diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. 5. Medical sonographer Medical sonographers use ultrasonic imaging machines to capture images of various organs and body parts, such as the heart and lungs. Also known as ultrasound technicians, medical sonographers prepare patients for imaging tests. 6. Cardiology consultants Cardiology consultants collaborate with other health care professionals to develop treatment plans for patients. The treatment plans cardiology consultants create may include a combination of prescription medications and lifestyle changes. 7. Cardiac nurse Also known as cardiovascular nurses, these health care professionals help cardiology physicians diagnose heart conditions. They also schedule surgeries and appointments. They also provide aftercare instructions and suggest lifestyle changes that can help patients remain healthy in the future. 8. Cardiology physician A cardiology physician finds, treats, and prevents diseases related to the cardiovascular system. This includes the heart and blood vessels. Also known as cardiologists, these medical professionals meet with patients, assess their symptoms, and perform physical examinations. 9. Anesthesiologist An anesthesiologist is a health care professional who administers anesthesia to sedate patients before surgery. They may also numb parts of the body and administer pain medications to make sure patients are comfortable. 10. Surgeon A cardiac surgeon is an advanced medical doctor who performs surgery on the heart and major blood vessels. There are two primary areas cardiac surgeons can specialize in. The first is congenital and pediatric surgery, which focuses on fixing anomalies and structural heart issues in infants. Sources Used: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21983cardiologist#:~:text=A%20cardiologist%20is%20a%20physician,you've%20had%20since%20 birth https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobprofiles/cardiologist#:~:text=As%20a%20cardiologist%20you%20can,range%20of%20heart% 2Drelated%20problems https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-acardiologist#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20working%20environment,that%20is%20in%20hi gh%20demand. https://kiiky.com/wealth/highest-paid-cardiologists/ https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/cardiologist/philippines https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/careers-in-cardiology WHY CARDIOLOGY? I chose cardiology due to its clinically diverse and multi-faceted nature. Cardiology is closely associated with all organ systems and requires a strong internal medicine background for comprehensive care. Different heart diseases are silent killers, in my full existence on this earth, I have seen how our people around the world especially our kababayans suffer from it. Every day, it is hard to bear that many people ended the chapter of their lives, many children lost their parents, and many parents lost their children due to diverse heart failures. One of my inspirations and motivations for choosing and pursuing this path is my late papa, he has been diagnosed with colon cancer and aside from that, he suffered from heart disease which caused him to end his battle called life. It was one of the most heartbreaking events that happened to me, from that, I promised myself that I'll serve and use God's gift to treat people and be an instrument, especially to the marginalized ones. One of my considerations in choosing this path is skills and passion, as I said I've fallen in love with the human anatomy since I was a kid and my heart is for helping others which will always be on my vocabulary. The salary is also a factor since a cardiologist is in demand, I want to earn more so I can realize my dream for this country which is to build more hospitals and schools. I want to treat the gap in the education and health care system of this country and I am sure, in God's will soon I can make a difference.
