CARDIOLOGY FELLOWS MUSC CONSULT ROTATION
MUSC, Cardiology Division
GOAL:
To provide an opportunity to develop consultant skills in recommending appropriate management, diagnostic
testing, and preoperative risk assessment of patients with known or suspected cardiac conditions.
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE:
1) Continue to develop skills in history taking, physical examination and ability to utilize such information
in formulating a plan of recommendation
2) Continue to learn clinical and physiologic basic for management of acute cardiac illnesses, including
myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, pericardial, and valvular heart disease and
their complications.
3) Learn the appropriate recommendations for cardiovascular drugs.
4) Continue to develop and demonstrate competence in EKG interpretations.
5) Learn how to risk stratify patients with cardiac conditions for appropriate pre operative consultation
6) Learn how to function effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary Cardiology team.
7) Learn ethical aspects of decision required in the consultative care of critically or terminally ill patients.
8) Develop skills as a consultant to other disciplines in medicine.
9) Demonstrate appropriate and cost effective utilization of diagnostic test in the evaluation and
management of cardiac patients being consulted on.
10) Demonstrate appropriate use of social workers, case managers, assigned nurses, dietitians, laboratory
personnel, and other consultants in the management of patients.
11) Develop appropriate communication skills for interaction with the requesting medical personnel.
12) Serve as a “Teaching Fellow” for the housestaff and medical students assigned to the rotation
PROCEDURES:
Fellows will be appropriately supervised for all consultations.
METHODOLOGY:
Duration:
Start Time:
End Time:
Attendings:
8 weeks
7:00 AM
6:00 PM
Cardiology Division Faculty
PRINCIPAL TEACHING METHODS:
Teaching Rounds:
These are held daily with discussion of physiology, pathophysiology, differential
diagnosis and management of all patients seen in consultation..
With the support of the Cardiology Attending, the Fellow will perform as a Teaching
Fellow and at the level of consultant to the Internal Medicine housestaff and medical
students assigned to the rotation as well as to the medical personnel who requested the
consult
Reading List:
Supplied by faculty as pertinent to patients.
Articles:
Supplied by faculty and other interested parties including pharmacology doctorate
faculty.
List:
Chapters and standard textbooks of medicine.
Conferences:
Daily Cardiology Division conferences are mandatory. Monthly Heart and Vascular
Center Mortality and Morbidity conference is mandatory, Fellows are encouraged to
attend Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
SUPERVISON:
Fellows are directly supervised in their patient care duties by the Cardiology Attending
Physician. The Cardiology Fellow supervises the Internal Medicine housestaff plus
medical students when appropriate.
FELLOW EVALUATION:
Fellows are evaluated by the Attending each month using the standard Division evaluation form for each
competency. Patient Care is assessed based on direct observation, application of evidence based medicine and
chart review. Medical Knowledge is assessed through direct questioning on rounds and identification of
appropriate testing of patients. The resident must demonstrate competent EKG interpretation. Professionalism
is assessed based on observation of the resident’s demeanor and behavior on this rotation. Interpersonal and
Communication Skills are assessed by observing the resident’s interactions with the patients, families, staff
and collegues. System-Based Practice is evaluated based on the resident’s ability perform in the team-setting,
including interactions with the Discharge Planners, nurses, PharmDs and other health care providers. PracticeBased Learning is evaluated based on the resident’s ability to learn and improve his or her skills based on
feedback, study, literature review and appropriate application of evidence based medicine.