National Core and Advanced Cardiac Imaging Curricula: A Framework From the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Education Committee

Abstract

Well-defined curriculum with goals and objectives is an inherent part of every radiology residency program. Following a needs assessment, the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology education committee developed a cardiac imaging curriculum using a mixed method collaborative approach. The Cardiovascular Imaging Curricula consist each of two separate yet complimentary granular parts: a Core Curriculum, aimed at residents in-training, with the main goal of building a strong foundational knowledge and an Advanced Curriculum, designed to build upon the core knowledge and guide a more in-depth fellowship subspecialty training. The curricular frameworks aim to enhance the educational experience of trainees (residents and fellows) and provide an educational framework for clinical supervisors and residency and fellowship program directors. The Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR) championed the creation of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging curricula encompassing clinical knowledge and technical, communication, and decision-making skills with the goal of providing direction to a strong foundational knowledge for residents and to guide specialty training for fellowship programs.