The Medical Student Leadership Group surveyed the Fellows in Training Section of the ACC in September 2020. Survey topics addressed questions from medical students in context of the profession of cardiology. Survey responses were lightly edited and organized for clarity.

  What classes, electives or other forms of curricular training would inform medical students about pursuing cardiology?
  What classes, electives or other forms of curricular training would inform medical students about pursuing cardiology?
  • Take electives in cardiology and the intensive care unit care that can inform these interests and prepare students for internship.
  • Make sure you get to see all of cardiology: go see the cath lab, electrophysiology lab, stress tests, echocardiograms, etc.
  • Spend a few days in the outpatient clinic to see what a general cardiologist does from day to day.
  • Do an elective that exposes you to the different modalities of imaging/procedures in cardiology.
  • Focus on important disciplines including physiology (e.g. mammalian), basic physics and biochemistry.
  • Engage in classes and small groups oriented toward cardiovascular physiology/pathology led by cardiologists.
  • Education on cardiac physiology, evidence-based practice, and applying that to clinical cases.
  • Concentrate on internal medicine sub-internship where you can focus on the basics, get broad exposure and understand what appeals to you most.
  • Volunteer at community and local hospitals to get early exposure.
  • Join cardiology interest group and other cardiology-focused groups.
  What skills, attributes, or qualities of a cardiologist would a medical student benefit from developing and practicing?
  What skills, attributes, or qualities of a cardiologist would a medical student benefit from developing and practicing?
  • Learn about the consultation, history and physical. Know bedside procedure skills such as central line, arterial line and ultrasound.
  • Develop empathy, a quality that will create the bonds necessary for adequate patient care.
  • Be a good doctor/internist overall. Find out if you like working with your hands/doing procedures.
  • Cultivate good social skills and the ability to work under pressure.
  • Read electrocardiograms, echocardiograms and chest x-rays.
  • Practice surgical skills: running suture, simple interrupted suture and hand-tying suture.
  • Understand how to interpret clinical data but also learn their limitations when to ignore them.
  • Think about how to gain trust from a patient quickly, especially when patient status may change quickly and become critical.
  • Do your best on each rotation to become the most-sound general medicine doctor possible.
  • Be a conceptual thinker rather than a memorizer, which is imperative to understanding hemodynamics.
  What types of mentors in cardiology should medical school students seek and what are ways to best reach out?
  What types of mentors in cardiology should medical school students seek and what are ways to best reach out?
  • Clinical mentors – people you work within the hospital/clinic/lab who are willing to go to bat for you.
  • Focus less on the title of the cardiologist and more on their availability and eagerness to mentor you.
  • Mentors who are publishing and have a track record of giving opportunities to trainees to publish.
  • General cardiology faculty are often the most accessible. Reach out to fellows for guidance/direction.
  • Both clinical cardiologists and cardiovascular researchers will help teach you about this career.
  • Multiple mentors are needed to address the following domains: research, clinical and work-life.
  • Seek residencies that provide strong mentorship. Email alumni who are in cardiology fellowship.
  • Ask your program leadership – often there are people that have volunteered for this position.
  • Fellows: they offer practical advice for getting into training programs, aligning work-life goals.
  • Reach out to the clerkship director or anyone you have worked with on the wards.
  What resources, opportunities or programs can medical students look into in an effort to learn more about cardiology?
  What resources, opportunities or programs can medical students look into in an effort to learn more about cardiology?
  • The Sarnoff Fellowship gives students exposure to cardiology experts outside of their institution.
  • Doing an away elective would be great (for example advanced heart failure and transplant).
  • Local medical school interest groups and State Chapters of the ACC are a great place to start.
  • Prioritize getting through courses and rotations first; attend local ACC or other conferences.
  • Attend virtual conferences (world-renowned leaders at some), see if interests are piqued.
  What types of basic science, translational or clinical research should medical students engage in to expose themselves to cardiology?
  What types of basic science, translational or clinical research should medical students engage in to expose themselves to cardiology?
  • Any exposure to research, especially cardiovascular, is beneficial to help learn the fundamentals of research.
  • First excel in classes/rotations/exams. Be a competitive applicant for internal medicine first, then try clinical research.
  • For better or worse, research on a CV is important to make a competitive applicant. Prefer clinical.
  • I pursued composing a review article with my mentor in medical school which enabled significant exposure.
  • Opportunities for are broad! ACC and other society meetings will provide ideas. Find a publishing mentor.
  • Choose the type of research activity that goes in line with your interest. Passion will guide you.
  • Most academic institutions almost mandate some level of research so starting this soon is best.
  • Expertise in data science for leveraging large datasets to answer clinical research questions.
  • None.
  What community service activities should medical school students look into if interested in a career in cardiology?
  What community service activities should medical school students look into if interested in a career in cardiology?
  • Whatever you are passionate about – do not force yourself to do things you are not interested in.
  • Health screening fairs for hypertension and diabetes; patient education outreach regarding common cardiac conditions.
  • Volunteer to be involved in whatever local ACC chapter things come up if applicable.
  • Medical education to community members; health fairs; race-day medical tents, electrocardiogram screenings.
  • Clinics for underserved populations, do overseas missions, whatever is interesting to you.
  • Longitudinal activities instead of a bunch of 5K's or day events.
  • The ACC and other societies have plenty of local chapter activities that serve the community.
  What scholarships or grants exist for medical students interested in cardiology?
  What scholarships or grants exist for medical students interested in cardiology?
  • I am not sure! Try asking your program director, program coordinator or other medical students.
  • Check with your local or national organizations as well as state representative offices.
  • Association of Black Cardiologists Richard Allen Williams Scholarship.
  • National Institute of Health T32 training grants, American Heart Association summer grants, Sarnoff fellowship.
  What should medical students do now to optimize learning for a future career in cardiology?
  What should medical students do now to optimize learning for a future career in cardiology?
  • Excellent success in your basic science courses gives you the foundation for your clinical courses.
  • Having a sound foundation of knowledge in all facets of medicine (obstetrics-gynecology, psychology) will help in cardiology.
  • Reach out to mentors in the field as soon as interested to get early clinical and research exposure.
  • Be engaged during rotations. Read about an interesting topic and bring a follow-up question the next day.
  • Get good and comfortable with history and physical exam.
  • Learn pathophysiology and hemodynamics of the heart and go on cardiology electives to gain first-hand exposure of them.
  • I was always told to be a good cardiologist you have to be a good internal medicine doctor first.
  How can underrepresented students in medicine learn more about cardiology?
  How can underrepresented students in medicine learn more about cardiology?
  • Join the Student National Medical Association and consider joining various minority physician social media groups.
  • Use rotations for access to make connections. Reach out to underrepresented physicians in the field.
  • Talk to residents or fellow friends. I learned a lot from fellows who taught me when I was a student.
  • Join a minority organization and seek specialty mentors. Ask about minority mentors at the ACC.
  • Seek mentors who can help guide you – if none at your institution, look elsewhere like Twitter.
  What are ways medical students can stay informed of important clinical trials, publications and literature in cardiology?
  What are ways medical students can stay informed of important clinical trials, publications and literature in cardiology?
  • For journal clubs, use big studies from either the past (wikijournalclub.org) or the present (national meetings).
  • Wonderful resources are included in scientific journals like the Journal of American College of Cardiology website.
  • Attend cardiology conference whether at your institution or nationwide ones.
  • Social Media (Med/CardioTwitter, Instagram: follow cardiologists who post about trials).
  • Webpages like Medscape have great updates on medical news and trials. You can also set up automatic emails.