Pro: Length of Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Training Should Be Extended Beyond One Year

Abstract

THE ADULT CARDIOTHORACIC ANESTHESIOLOGY (ACTA) fellowship has undergone a revolutionary change over the last two decades. Although it has existed since the 1970s, it was not until 2004 that official board certification in perioperative echocardiography was granted by the National Board of Echocardiography, followed by formal accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2006. 1 Capdeville M Ural KG Patel PA et al. The educational evolution of fellowship training in cardiothoracic anesthesiology – Perspectives from program directors around the United States. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018; 32: 607-620 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar The ACTA fellowship entered into the match process in June 2013. 2 Goldhammer JE Herman CR Heitz JW et al. ACGME accreditation guide for adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018; 32: 2395-2401 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar The educational evolution of the ACTA fellowship in the United States was elegantly elucidated by Capdeville et al in their article in the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology in 2018. 1 Capdeville M Ural KG Patel PA et al. The educational evolution of fellowship training in cardiothoracic anesthesiology – Perspectives from program directors around the United States. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018; 32: 607-620 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar Accreditation by the ACGME formalized the length, structure, and educational goals of the fellowship and set minimal clinical case requirements for various cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures to be achieved by the end of fellowship training. 2 Goldhammer JE Herman CR Heitz JW et al. ACGME accreditation guide for adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018; 32: 2395-2401 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar This oversight enforced consistency and made the training programs more accountable for competency-based fellow education, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care, quality, and safety, thereby improving the overall standards for fellowship learning. 2 Goldhammer JE Herman CR Heitz JW et al. ACGME accreditation guide for adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018; 32: 2395-2401 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar