Training in Cardiology 

By Dr Kully Sandhu, Cardiology Registrar Sub-specialising in Coronary Intervention, Elected trainee representative for the West Midlands in the BJCA

For me Cardiology was by far the most appealing specialty. I was lucky as I managed to spend in total 8 months in a tertiary cardiac centre as an SHO. I was smitten. Cardiology is a dynamic and ever expanding specialty. There is generous mix of hands on surgical work and medicine. There is also a very strong academic component with most cardiologists undergoing a period of research. This allows development of time management, understanding and reading of journals, research methodology, presentation skills, attending conferences and the satisfaction of publication of your own work. 

With Cardiology  you're actively involved in managing acute emergencies such as heart attacks to management of chronic conditions such as cardiac failure, arrhythmias and ischaemic heart disease to mention a few.  

There is a great emphasis on team-work from working with other cardiologists, non cardiology medical specialties, nurses, allied medical staff such as cardiac physiologists and radiographers. However the most rewarding in my experience is interaction and communication with patients and their families. 

The West Midlands is able to boast nationally and internationally renowned experts in all aspects of current cardiac practice including adult congenital heart diseases, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, imaging and cardiac failure. There are four tertiary cardiac and cardiac surgical units including a regional transplant center and a number of district general hospitals providing round the clock dedicated cardiac services. We have two medical schools with a number of other universities providing undergraduate training in allied medical specialties. The West Midlands provides training as diverse as the population, from deprived inner cities to leafy suburbs and everything in between. I'm proud to serve a multicultural population who speak a myriad of languages, cultures and religions. 

Having not been originally from the West Midlands I found the region to be centrally located geographically with excellent rail, road and airport. 

Cardiology training is based on a national curriculum and can be demanding. However there are regular training days and elected senior registrars. I am privileged to be one and represent all cardiology trainees to the training committee who in my experience have been extremely approachable and active in resolving any issues. 

Finally, my words of “wisdom” would be chose a specialty that evokes interest and you enjoy - that will get you out of bed with a spring in your step each morning. If you wish to be part of a dynamic, ever evolving, progressive specialty in a supportive organisation with proven track record of renowned training then Cardiology training in the West Midlands is for you.