Core Curriculum
The UVA School of Medicine and the Department of
Pediatrics have a long track record and commitment to training
clinician investigators. Clinical training is based on 1:1 interaction
with faculty and a "hands-on" approach to learning.
In the research training portion of the program, fellows receive
training in either basic science or clinical investigation.
Basic science research training involves both coursework and close
work with a primary mentor/collaboration with others. Graduate-level
courses and multiple research centers at UVA provide further
opportunities.
Trainees interested in clinical investigation enroll in a Master or Ph.D. level graduate program
in clinical investigation or public health, and are matched with a
mentor to guide their academic training.
All trainees have a scholarship oversight committee consistent with
the American Board of Pediatrics guidelines.
Educational Objectives
Specific objectives listed below relate to the six core competencies
required by the ACGME. Training in Interpersonal Skills/Communication,
Practice-Based Learning, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practice
are designed to complement skills acquired during general pediatric
training. In addition, a competency requirement to reflect research
training has recently been added.
| Patient Care |
- Be able to obtain a complete history and perform a detailed
cardiovascular examination on subjects ranging from premature newborns
to young adults
- Be able to evaluate and treat the cardiovascular aspects of
critically ill neonates, infants and children including: assessment of
the cyanotic newborn, recognition and treatment of shock and low output
states, post-operative care following cardiovascular surgical
procedures, recognition and treatment of congestive heart failure and
hypoxic spells
- Understand and perform resuscitation techniques including
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardioversion, temporary pacing,
pericardiocentesis, and thoracentesis
- Understand the techniques, values, limitations, and risks of
invasive procedures including diagnostic cardiac catheterization,
angiocardiography, electrophysiology studies, and interventional
procedures
- Be able to perform diagnostic right and left heart catheterization
and balloon atrial septostomy
- Understand the principles of diagnostic ultrasound and be capable
of performing and interpreting M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler, and
color flow echocardiograms
- Be familiar with the cardiac arrhythmias of childhood and be
capable of interpreting electrocardiograms, ambulatory
electrocardiograms, and event monitoring, and in treating cardiac
arrhythmias
- Understand the principles and techniques of exercise testing and be
capable of performing and interpreting these studies
|
| Medical Knowledge |
- Understand the basic elements of cardiovascular anatomy,
embryology, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology
- Be familiar with the natural and modified natural history of
congenital and acquired cardiovascular disorders in the young and the
surgical procedures used in their management
- Be familiar with systemic diseases involving the cardiovascular
system including rheumatic fever, Kawasaki disease, endocarditis,
metabolic disorders, collagen disease, and lipid disorders
- Understand the genetic basis of congenital heart disease and the
genetic disorders with a high incidence of congenital heart
disease
|
| Practice-Based Learning and Improvement |
- Use evaluations of performance to improve practice
- Use information technology to optimize lifelong learning
|
| Interpersonal Skills and Communication |
- Communicate effectively with patients and families across a broad
range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
- Be capable of acting in a consultative role to other physicians and
healthcare professionals
- Know how to maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical
records
|
| Professionalism |
- Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and compassion as a
physician
- Demonstrate high standards of ethical behavior
- Understand ethical aspects of gifts from industry
- Understand the elements of patient rights and confidentiality
|
| Systems-Based Practice |
- Learn to coordinate inpatient, outpatient, and field clinic
programs in pediatric cardiology, including interaction with social
service agencies, school health nurses, and the State Health
Department
- Understand systems of delivery of health care and their financing,
including diagnostic and procedural coding
|
| Research |
- Learn to ask fundamental questions and formulate hypotheses
- Design experiments or trials to test hypotheses
- Analyze results using appropriate statistical techniques
- Develop presentation skills for abstracts, seminars and
lectures
- Learn to critically review the scientific literature
- Learn to write manuscripts and grant applications
- Understand ethics involved in research
|
