Specialty Areas For Those That Complete a Cardiology Fellowship

Written By: Rachael Kaine

What is a Cardiology Fellowship?

Clinical cardiology is the field of medicine that is specifically focused on the heart and its functions. A cardiology fellowship is a lengthy period of time spent studying and completing rotations in different areas of cardiology so that fellows will be as well-versed and ready to proceed as possible. These rotation groups and opportunities are examples of the different career paths that can be taken after completing a cardiovascular disease fellowship Georgetown, or a program at any other accredited institution in the country. Areas of focus include heart failure, advanced imaging, congenital heart disease and transplantation of the organ.

Cardiology Fellowship Sub-specialties Explained

Congential heart disease: Also known as a congenital heart defect, this condition is something that people are born with. An abnormal heart structure is what the main aspect of this condition entails, and now, due to many medical advancements, infants with this condition are often able to have it corrected, giving them the chance to live whole, fulfilling lives.

Heart failure: Another specialty area that Georgetown cardiology fellowship participants will focus on what happens when the human heart fails. Clearly a serious condition to contend with, the ultimate goal for those suffering heart failure is to improve the function, getting people back to the point where their heart is no longer struggling to pump the necessary amount of blood throughout the body. This is a common condition that impacts millions of lives, and there are many things to learn about it including ways to diagnose it, the different treatment methods available, and how to best address each specific case.

Advanced imaging: In order to properly take care of the heart, being able to see it clearly enough to diagnose different conditions and decide on courses of action are absolutely necessary. Advanced imaging focuses on diagnosing and managing a variety of conditions in as little time as possible – in as clear a method as is available. Technology like X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic field testing and computer software is used to create a detailed composite of each heart, allowing for different areas to be analyzed and focused on, depending on exactly what is needed.

Though these are only some of the different sub-specialty areas that completing a cardiovascular fellowship Washington DC will familiarize you with, they are some of the most important and necessary. To learn more about the programs available, visit http://www.medstarhealth.org/education/affiliated-hospitals-2/medstar-georgetown-university-hospital/cardiovascular-disease-fellowship/. This will show you what is available, what the goals of each program are, and how you can begin your cardiovascular fellowship journey.

 

Internal Medicine Residency Explained

Written By: Rachael Kaine

What Will an Internal Medicine Residency Prepare Me for?

After completing the initial years of medical school, med students have a chance to pick their area of focus and specialty training. This is done by completing a residency program at a higher institution of learning and hospital setting. These programs are available around the world, but some, like an internal medicine residency in the DC area (http://www.medstarhealth.org/) are a cut above the rest. Internal medicine is the study of everything from general health to complex illnesses in adult patients via the use of scientific knowledge and situation-based clinical expertise. Internists will diagnose, treat and care for these patients using their knowledge and understanding.

Internal Medicine Residency Career Paths

An internal medicine residency is meant to prepare medical students for careers as internists, who are often called upon to consult with other doctors in order to provide the best possible care to patients, no matter what their underlying conditions may be. Though they may have knowledge of different “general” health conditions or situations, they are not general practitioners due to their specific focus on adult patients. Those who complete this type of residency are able to handle problems that are both common and rare, and can adequately provide treatment when multiple problems or conditions exist at the same time.

There are different career paths that can be chosen by internists, including:

– Hematology
– Infectious Disease
– Oncology
– Allergy and Immunology
– Cardiovascular Disease
– Rheumatology
– Endocrinology

Each of these allows for training in a specialty area of medicine, but they require additional training after the internal medicine residency, and can increase the skill set of practitioners when they are completed. Completing the first residency will familiarize individuals with the information necessary to treat general conditions, but having a “specialty” can make them more appealing in the eyes of their patients, as well as able to serve their chosen community in a more impacting manner.

For those that want to combine their training so as not to extend the amount of time spent in medical school, there are even options for this as well. Some residency programs allow for the combination of studies for different fields at the same time; one of the most popular of these mixed programs is that of internal medicine and pediatrics, even though this isn’t the only available option. In order to quickly begin practicing medicine, medical school, residencies and all on-the-job experience should be completed in an efficient manner so that the knowledge can immediately be put to good use.

Family Medicine Residency Facts

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Getting through a family medicine residency is only the beginning of a rewarding career in family medicine practice. This time as a resident gives people a chance to learn about themselves, what they are capable of, and what to expect when patients walk through the doors of their hospitals or clinics. After finishing the residency program, there are a few things that people should know about the field and what to expect when they practice on their own.

Understanding What Comes After a Family Medicine Residency

While family medicine is a generalized field, there is an opportunity for those practicing it to tailor their services to the specific needs of the community that they work within. While it may not always be necessary, family physicians do have some flexibility to incorporate things like critical care services and other things that are typically only done within the walls of larger hospital buildings.

Family medicine residency will also prepare individuals for seeing and treating a wide variety of conditions each and every day. It is not uncommon for those practicing within this field to “grow” with their patients, as many choose to remain with a doctor and facility that they know well and trust, even as they age and begin families of their own.

Family medicine is necessary across the world, and many programs exist to teach people the ins and outs of the profession. New programs are being started each year, making it possible for more and more people to choose the career path. A Franklin family medicine residency is only one of the many quality programs within the United States, but the location is amazing, and the variety of patients seen during the residency provides people with the essential experience for future success.

Where Will a Family Medicine Residency Take Me?

People across the world need medical care, and so a family medicine residency may take you to a large city to practice, or even a small, rural area. Family physicians often treat patients that are under-insured or without insurance, and they account for about 25% of the total number of hospital visits each year. This is a “non emergency” field, so patients are able to develop relationships with their physicians rather than only seeing them when they have a severe problem. This is great, because it means that a family medicine practitioner will have access to family medical histories, giving them a chance to pay close attention to risks, health issues that run in the family, and to offer preventative medicine and treatment options to patients that need them.