ABSTRACT
Background In our country, training in cardiology is achieved by participating in residency programs, attending a hospital cardiology unit or taking university courses. On the basis of comments from teachers giving classes in the SAC Biennial Course about certain kind of deficit in basic areas of the specialty among cardiology residents attending the course, we decided to investigate their knowledge in cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, physical diagnosis, pharmacology and clinical cardiology after 1 or 2 years of training in Internal Medicine or Cardiology residency programs, respectively. Objective To evaluate the knowledge in basic areas in cardiology among residents attending the UBA Biennial Cardiology Course given by the Argentine Society of Cardiology. Material and Methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was designed with 50 multiple choice questions, divided in three subjects: Subject A, 17 questions about cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology; Subject B, 15 questions about clinical cardiology, physical diagnosis and electrocardiography; and Subject C, 17 questions regarding medical practice and cardiological clinical syndromes. The questionnaire was answered by residents either initiating the course (Group 1) or who were attending the second year (Group 2). Results In the general exam, Group 1 (n=63) had a median of 29/50 right answers (58%) and Group 2 (n=57) 30/50 (60%). There were no significant differences between both groups (p=0.21). The performance in Subject A was significantly lower compared to Subjects B and C in both groups. Conclusion The level of knowledge in basic areas of cardiology among residents is considered insufficient, with greatest deficits in cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. It is necessary to revise the program of the Biennial Course and to analyze the opportunities of learning and reflection offered by the residency program.