Using educational tools such as personalized learning, adaptive learning and the "flipped classroom" model may help improve lifelong learning to meet the educational needs of Fellows in Training (FITs) and practicing cardiologists, according to an ACC FIT Council Perspective published Jan. 22 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Akhil Narang, MD, immediate past chair of ACC's FIT Section, et al., examined transformations in the approach to graduate medical education for FITs and lifelong learning for cardiologists from training to retirement, and proposed strategies for modern-day trainees and practicing cardiologists to improve learning skills.

While the traditional education of physicians involves places such as the classroom, lecture hall, bedside, laboratories, scientific sessions or through continuing medical education programs, the authors point out that challenges of the modern-day health care environment call for different learning methods that meet the demands of the contemporary cardiovascular professional.

One suggestion the authors make for practicing cardiologist is to follow a curriculum of personalized learning, which could help clinicians identify their specific needs and customize educational content to meet those needs. Examples of this learning include simulation training, educational portfolios and digital platforms customized for both trainees and practicing cardiologists.

The authors also recommend using adaptive learning, a process which continually adapts questions and outcomes to reflect real-world situations, allowing cardiologist to enhance their performance and identify knowledge gaps in specific areas.

Additionally, the authors note that the "flipped classroom" model has been shown to improve problem-solving skills, create better collaboration among colleagues and increase satisfaction compared to the traditional classroom. The "flipped classroom" model allows learners to engage in instructional material (such as videos, articles and online discussions) in advance, and then work together on an assignment based on the material.

The authors conclude that "as more FITs pursue advanced training in sub-subspecialties such as advanced heart failure, multimodality imaging, and catheter-based interventions, practicing cardiologists will need to keep abreast of developments in their own fields of special expertise while remaining current in the broader aspects of the field." They add, "solutions to create an optimal lifelong learning environment depend upon continuously adopting appropriate learning methods and adapting to new techniques."

Keywords: Education, Medical, Continuing, Fellowships and Scholarships, Curriculum, Education, Medical, Graduate, Training Support, Problem Solving

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