Standards of training

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 174; no. 4; pp. 502 - 503
• Main Authors: Kucey, Daryl S, Hill, Andrew B, Lindsay, Thomas F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada CMA Impact Inc 14.02.2006; CMA Impact, Inc; Canadian Medical Association
• Subjects: Cardiology - education; Cardiology - manpower; Coronary Artery Bypass - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Internship and Residency; Letters; Vascular Surgical Procedures
• ISSN: 0820-3946; 1488-2329
• DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.1050207

Vascular surgery is an independent surgical subspecialty in Canada. A specialty training program approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), leading to a certificate of special competency, already exists. This certificate is obtained by completing a 2-year residency in vascular surgery and successfully passing an oral and written examination by the RCPSC. Entry into a vascular surgery residency program requires completion of a 5-year program in either general or cardiac surgery. Currently, vascular or thoracic surgery certification requires 2 years in addition to certification in cardiac care. Cardiac certification encompasses research, thoracic, vascular and cardiac rotations. Credit for completion of these rotations can eliminate 15 of the 24 months required for examination and certification eligibility. Unfortunately, the RCPSC exempts cardiac residents from up to 6 months if they pursue thoracic certification, but zero months toward vascular training. Conversely, recently revised critical care requirements acknowledge the integration of related specialty rotations; cardiac residents receive credit for up to 1 year of the 2-year critical care program.