During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant reductions in cardiac volumes and the reassignment of clinicians to COVID-19 services. It is now critical to focus on the educational challenges in cardiovascular disease (CVD) fellowship programs that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, according to an article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Gaby Weissman, MD, FACC, et al., sought to review the current state of training programs and explore opportunities for responses to the evolving situation.

The authors address the responses from organizations that regulate cardiology and its subspecialty requirements, the relevance of the Fourth Core Cardiology Training Symposium, the pivot to virtual education, the focus on research and how to enhance wellness of trainees.

Among the recommendations, the authors suggest the use of video conferencing programs to supplement the reduction in lab-based education and encourage programs to provide support to trainees as they struggle with interrupted research and recognize its related consequences. The authors also highlight the need to encourage fellows to create a self-care plan to enhance their own physical and mental well-being.

"The impact on the medical system and graduate medical education will be felt well after the initial phase of the [COVID-19] pandemic passes and specific responses must be developed," write the authors. "This requires both innovation and flexibility by many stakeholders."

"There must be a willingness to engage with regulatory bodies, adopt and share new ideas, develop new best practices, deliver high quality education, and ensure emotional and physical well-being. It is critical that we, as [program directors] continue to act as advocates, mentors, and educators for our fellows."

Clinical Topics: COVID-19 Hub, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies

Keywords: Fellowships and Scholarships, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, Pandemics, Mentors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Self Care, Cardiac Volume, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Education, Medical, Graduate, Training Support, Cardiology, Writing

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