3 tips for interns or residents interested in Cardiology. Advice I wish I knew during my Internal Medicine training.
#MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter
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#MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter
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1) Be a good internist: This is advice that is often communicated by attending physicians. As a first-year cardiology fellow, I began to evaluate why this is so important.
Many (almost all) of the consults you see in Cardiology will have concomitant pathology.
Many (almost all) of the consults you see in Cardiology will have concomitant pathology.
For example, patients w/ elevated troponins/BNP almost always have other chronic pathology (ESRD, HF, HTN) in addition to an acute pathological process (ACS, Pneumonia, PE).
Your job in Cardiology is to contextualize lab/imaging anomalies to the overall clinical picture
Your job in Cardiology is to contextualize lab/imaging anomalies to the overall clinical picture
Even as a cardiology fellow, I spend time reviewing patients' diabetes and BP control, hyperlipidemia, history of chemotherapy/radiation, history of TIA/stroke, bleeding risk, along with considering non-cardiac etiologies for chest pain (MSK, GERD, pneumonia, anxiety).
A solid foundation in Internal Medicine, will aid you as a cardiology fellow and attending!
There is a lot of overlap especially with Nephrology, Oncology, Endocrinology, Critical Care, and even ID (infective endocarditis)!
Be an internist first, and cardiologist second!
There is a lot of overlap especially with Nephrology, Oncology, Endocrinology, Critical Care, and even ID (infective endocarditis)!
Be an internist first, and cardiologist second!
2) Mentorship (Fellow-Level): I think having a mentor is an invaluable part of Internal Medicine training for several reasons.
Mentors can provide guidance and accelerate your journey towards your goal. Mentorship can vary from program directors, faculty, or seniors.
Mentors can provide guidance and accelerate your journey towards your goal. Mentorship can vary from program directors, faculty, or seniors.
However, I believe the most important is having a cardiology fellow as a mentor.
For me @cbitet was my senior 3rd year IM senior resident when I was an intern on wards. His passion, guidance, and insight was invaluable as I switched from a path of Endocrinology to Cardiology.
For me @cbitet was my senior 3rd year IM senior resident when I was an intern on wards. His passion, guidance, and insight was invaluable as I switched from a path of Endocrinology to Cardiology.
Fellow mentors can provide you insight regarding their journey and the share the lessons they learned.
They can also help develop research projects @daehyunleemd (such as case reports, QI projects, or longitudinal studies). They will help open your eyes to fellowship life.
They can also help develop research projects @daehyunleemd (such as case reports, QI projects, or longitudinal studies). They will help open your eyes to fellowship life.
See if you can find a fellow mentor to periodically check in on your progress or give feedback. They can offer inspiration during tough rotations and advice when you are unsure about the next step.
Cardiology fellows are busy, but were in your position not too long ago!
Cardiology fellows are busy, but were in your position not too long ago!
3) Find your passion within cardiology: One of the many things that I love about Cardiology is the diversity of career options.
After cardiology fellowship, you can pursue further training interventional, electrophysiology, heart failure, cardio-oncology, or imaging.
After cardiology fellowship, you can pursue further training interventional, electrophysiology, heart failure, cardio-oncology, or imaging.
For me, I was drawn to the prevention aspect of cardiology and for CAD.
One of my mentors @KoushikReddyMD, changed my perspective on the importance of primordial prevention and trying to minimize long-term complications through lifestyle modifications.
One of my mentors @KoushikReddyMD, changed my perspective on the importance of primordial prevention and trying to minimize long-term complications through lifestyle modifications.
Spend time reflecting on what you enjoy.
Do you enjoy procedures?
Are you curious about imaging?
Are you fascinated by arrhythmias?
Do you like outpatient?
Find your niche. This will help drive your personal statement in applications and shape your trajectory in fellowship.
Do you enjoy procedures?
Are you curious about imaging?
Are you fascinated by arrhythmias?
Do you like outpatient?
Find your niche. This will help drive your personal statement in applications and shape your trajectory in fellowship.
Remember, be a great internist, find a mentor (ideally at the fellowship level), and reflect on your niche.
I hope this was helpful. Believe in the process and make small improvements every day!
I hope this was helpful. Believe in the process and make small improvements every day!
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