Cardiology
Cardiology is a branch of Internal Medicine concerned with prevention, investigation and therapy of, and research into, diseases involving the cardiovascular system. Established sub-specialisations include echocardiology, electrophysiology, interventional (and structural) cardiology, cardiac imaging, heart failure and cardiac transplant and vascular medicine. Paediatric cardiology is entered through paediatric training pathways.
Cardiology is a medical speciality unique for the potential range of procedural work which can be undertaken. Cardiologists all train in echocardiography, coronary angiography and right heart catheterisation. Subspeciality post-fellowship training allows the acquiring skills in percutaneous coronary interventions, electrophysiology studies, ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, implantation of cardiac devices including pacemakers and defibrillators and increasingly more structural work including percutaneous valve replacement. Cardiology is a speciality unique for encompassing the entire patient care process from preventative care to definitive diagnostic investigations and management. As a speciality cardiology is often on the cutting edge of new technological development and offers numerous opportunities to be a part of that development process.
Advantages of starting a career at TPCH
- Largest cardiology centre in the country
- Heart Lung Institute
- Exposure to the cardiac transplant and mechanical cardiac device program
- Exposure to structural cardiology interventions including percutaneous valve replacement procedures (TAVI)
- Well established research reputation
Training Overview
Entry requirements to Training Program
- Complete Basic Physician Training
- Current medical registration
- Apply for a position as an Advanced Trainee through QH RMO campaign. Selection is made by a centralised, regional selection process.
Overview of Training Program
- 3 years of core training settings
- 1-2 years fellowship in subspecialty
What rotations are recommended prior to applying
- No specific rotations recommended. However, don’t do only cardiology terms, it is preferable to obtain good general medicine exposure.
How to improve your chances of selection
- Research from early in your medical training
- A diversity of registrar level jobs
- Postgraduate academic qualification becoming more common
- M.Phil is encouraged at TPCH
Frequently Asked Questions
Cardiology deals with some of the sickest of medical patients. The procedural subspecialties of cardiology include increasingly complex and challenging procedures that border on surgery. Cardiac imaging specialties (including echocardiology) allow greater lifestyle flexibility than more clinical specialties. Cardiovascular diseases are common and involve a fascinating interplay of lifestyle and inherited conditions.
- Ability to make quick decisions
- Ability to cope with stress
- Good visuospatial reasoning
- People focused
- Can have long hours. Frequency of ‘on call’ is not as high as other physicians however, the likelihood of being called in is higher.
Don’t underestimate the high value of working well within a multidisciplinary team and being a ‘nice’ person.
Most people complete their training in one block
There is a high likelihood of doing at least one rotation (3 – 6 months) within the south-east corner during your training eg. Nambour or Gold Coast even if you are nominally employed by The Prince Charles Hospital.
Contact us
Medical Education Unit
Email: TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3139 4221
More information
Program Director or Education Coordinator, Cardiology