Cardiology

Clinical description

The cardiology service is one of the most recently developed subspecialty services at Royal Inland Hospital. It is currently being staffed by 6 full time Cardiologists.  At present the service offers full time inpatient coverage consisting of a consultation service as well as an admission service.  The cardiology service has a 16-bed Telemetry unit and a Coronary Care Unit within the ICU. The service also contributes to the Heart Function Clinic, Vascular Improvement Clinic, Device Clinic and a busy Rapid Access Cardiology Evaluation Clinic (RACE).  Other diagnostic services include ECG's, holters, exercise stress testing, nuclear medicine and echocardiography including stress echocardiography.   

Trainee expectations:

The rotation will be offered to resident trainees at all levels. A 2-4 week rotation is considered standard.  The trainee would alternate between weeks of inpatient and outpatient services. The inpatient service consists of consultations and care for ward and CCU patients.  Outpatient weeks consist of sessions at the heart function clinic and RACE clinic.  Depending on the level of training, the trainee will also be exposed to various cardiac diagnostics (ie. holters, stress testing, ECG's, echo etc).  An opportunity for community-based cardiology office practice also exists. Call frequency is 1:6.