ACC releases latest training recs for cardiology fellows

(HealthDay)—The newest iteration of the Core Cardiovascular Training Statement, COCATS 4, updating training recommendations for cardiovascular fellows, has been released by the American College of Cardiology.

The statement defines the full core competencies expected of a clinical cardiologist, and focuses on outcomes assessment with defined evaluation tools. COCATS 4 includes communication, professionalism, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice, as well as knowledge and skills. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education developed the six competency domains, which have been endorsed by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Specialties.

COCATS 4's goal is to facilitate development of the knowledge and skills all cardiologists should possess, and aligns competencies with the focus of each fellow's career. The program characteristics and requisite competencies that will better prepare cardiovascular specialists to meet the future needs of patients and society are formalized in COCATS 4.

"In specific terms, the COCATS 4 document emphasizes training in ambulatory, consultative, and longitudinal cardiovascular care," Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the COCATS 4 steering committee, said in a statement. "Furthermore, it more generically emphasizes comprehensively training our cardiology fellows to be the best, most well-rounded doctors, which is critical to the future of their careers, clinical cardiac care, the health of our patients, and the advancement of our field of cardiovascular medicine."