Cardiothoracic Surgery

I About The Programme
II Assessment and Evaluation
III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements
IV Other Information

I About The Programme

Name of Programme

Fellowship Training in Congenital and Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Programme

Overview

It would be a comprehensive training in congenital and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery including both paediatrics and adults.

For more information on Cardiothoracic Surgery Service, click here.

Aim of Programme

To provide comprehensive exposure to congenital and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery including operative techniques and intensive care.

Duration of Programme

6-12 months

Number of Training Places

1

Learning Outcomes

After completing the programme, Fellows will be able to:

• understand different congenital and paediatric cardiothoracic pathology, their presentation and acute management;
• understand the steps of common congenital and paediatric cardiothoracic procedures.
  

Content Areas

The programme covers the following areas:

• Participation in preoperative, operative and postoperative management of patients undergoing congenital and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery.
• Exposure to standard and complex cardiac surgical procedures from simple to complex congenital cardiac repair.
• Exposure to management of paediatric heart failure patients including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventricular assist devices (VAD) and heart transplantation.
  

Team of Experts

The fellowship programme is managed by the following experts:

II Assessment and Evaluation

Aims of Assessment

Fellows are required to continually demonstrate the following six competencies throughout the programme:

(A) Patient Care

Understand the operative steps for the following procedures commonly performed on the service:

• Repair of Atrial Septal Defects
• Repair of Ventricular Septal defects
• Repair of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
• Repair of Atrioventricular Septal Defect
  

(B) Medical Knowledge

Common presenting signs and symptoms, evaluation of, and management of the following:

• Congenital Cardiac Disorders, including:
  • Atrial septal defects
  • Ventricular septal defects
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Transposition of the great arteries
  • Single ventricle
  • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome,
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
  • Coarctation of the aorta
• Chest deformities, including:
  • Pectus excavatum
  • Pectus carinatum
• The surgical anatomy of the heart in congenital and paediatric patients
• Preoperative preparation in congenital and paediatric patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery

(C) Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

The Fellows should demonstrate the ability to:

• Critically evaluate published literature regarding the diseases managed, and formulate evidence-based therapeutic plans.
• Analyze the surgical complications on the service, and present them at the monthly mortality and morbidity conference in a constructive and educational manner.
• Prepare in advance for clinical activities and didactic conferences with an emphasis on punctuality and regular attendance.
• Take considerable initiative in facilitating the learning of junior house staff and medical students.

(D) Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Fellows on service should demonstrate the ability to:

• Effectively interact with the faculty in formulating and instituting therapeutic plans.
• Communicate abbreviated yet thorough patient discussions with consulting physicians.

(E) Professionalism

The Fellows on the service should:

• Demonstrate commitment to their patients superseding personal self-interests, including readiness to provide bedside and operative care to the patients irrespective of time of day.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to age, gender, and culture of patients and other health care professionals.
• Carry out administrative responsibilities (operative dictations, call schedule creation, etc.) in a time-sensitive manner.
• Abide by duty hour and other regulatory guidelines.

(F) Systems-Based Practice

The Fellows on the service should:

• Demonstrate the ability to efficiently and effectively organize the care of the surgical patient in a cost-effective and evidence-based manner.
• Appropriately recruit other specialists and health care professionals to optimise the efficiency of care of the patient.

Assessment Approaches

• Logbook
• Training Report by Supervisor
• Singapore Medical Council’s Assessment Reports For Doctors on Temporary Medical Registration

The assigned primary supervisor will solicit feedback from the secondary/on-site supervisors to complete the SMC assessment reports at SMC’s stipulated intervals.

Evaluation Process

General overall grading system

The general overall grading system evaluates the Fellow’s performance upon completion of the fellowship programme. All Fellows will be given a general overall grading status at the end of the fellowship programme based on the grading criteria requirements incorporating the six competencies based knowledge, skills and performance that Fellows must demonstrate throughout the programme.

*Subjected to approval from hosting department and relevant government authorities, Fellows who have attained a USP grade may be given the opportunity to extend their stipulated training period to work towards completing the programme.

III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements

Target Audience

MMed (Surgery), MRCS or its local equivalent.

Pre-requisite/Eligibility Requirement(s)

Candidates must possess at least 3 years’ experience in Cardiac Surgery including adult cardiac surgical training.

The application will be reviewed by the Fellowship Selection Committee for Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the training position will be offered based on the credentials and merits of the applicant.

IV Other Information

Course Fees

Course fee will be determined upon application.

Funding

The applicant will be funded by their country, institution or an external body, or fully self-funded.

Certification

A certificate of fellowship will be awarded upon completion of the programme.