Studying to become a cardiologist

In France, to become a cardiologist, you need to undergo lengthy medical studies. This is what we defined in our cardiologist job description. This apprenticeship enables students to acquire all the technical skills and human qualities essential to the practice of this profession. This is what we defined in our cardiologist job description. Since it's not always easy to find one's way through the many options offered by this course, it was time for us to write an article to help make things a little clearer.

What is a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Whether working in a public hospital or a private practice, their role is to heal and support patients throughout the entire care process. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the highest standards, they are able to handle a wide range of cases, from the most benign to life-threatening emergencies. It's this expertise that is the hallmark oflong cardiology studies.

How to become a cardiologist?

General medical studies

Before entering higher education, the aspiring cardiologist must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:

• The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)

• Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
• Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
• Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
• Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
• The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.

• The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)

• Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
• At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
• The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills development and reorientation.

After the PASS or the L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:

• The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
• Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.

Externship examinations

During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of tests which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty, as well as their city. Here's the list:

• Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in the theoretical knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
• Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): these are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum grade is 10/20.
• Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.

Specialization in cardiology

Once they have completed their general medical studies , students specializing in cardiology begin a five-year internship. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:

• Theoreticaltraining : interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of cardiology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
• Practicaltraining : cardiology interns participate in the work of various health departments.

In addition, cardiology interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, interns are awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Cardiologie (DES).

Further training

After obtaining the DES in cardiology and registering with the Ordre des Médecins, cardiologists can continue their training to further specialize in specific areas of cardiology. Specialization options include pediatric cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. These specializations enable the cardiologist to deepen his or her specialized skills and gain access to even more rewarding professional opportunities, while offering high-quality care to specific populations. They also enable cardiologists to distinguish themselves on the job market by highlighting their know-how and expertise.

The skills needed to become a cardiologist

At the end of their academic career, cardiologists wishing to apply for a job as a cardiologist must master a wide range of techniques, in order to make accurate diagnoses and administer appropriate treatments. This includes the use of the electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography and advanced medical imaging such as cardiac MRI or CT scan. In addition, he must be well-informed about pharmacological treatments specific to cardiovascular disease, such as anticoagulants, antihypertensives and statins, as well as the long-term management of these treatments.

Cardiologists play a fundamental role in the prevention and screening of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and heart failure. He must also support his patients over the long term, by adjusting treatments and advising them to adopt a healthy lifestyle (stop smoking, resume physical activity). This requires a high degree of adaptability, as each patient is unique and requires different attention.

The cardiologist's human qualities

In addition to technical skills, a good cardiologist must demonstrate undeniable human qualities. Empathy, listening and communication skills are essential to establish a relationship of trust with patients, who are often distressed or anxious about the seriousness of their condition. He or she must be able to explain sometimes complex diagnoses in an understandable way, while providing moral support.

Being a cardiologist can be a demandingjob, especially when dealing with emergencies and critical cases. That's why it's important to know how to manage stress and make decisions quickly and effectively, without losing your composure. Last but not least, patience and perseverance are essential, especially when monitoring patients suffering from chronic illnesses, as results can take a long time to appear. Teamwork, with other specialists, is also an essential component of quality care and effective coordination of care.

Career opportunities and prospects

A career as a cardiologist offers many opportunities, and can be pursued in a variety of settings: public hospitals, private clinics, private practice or rehabilitation centers. These different practice settings enable cardiologists to vary their daily routine and take on new challenges, both technical and relational.

In short, although the path to becoming a cardiologist is demanding, with almost 11 years of study, it leads to a highly rewarding and respected profession. Cardiology is a complex but stimulating field, offering a varied and rewarding career. Medical discoveries, human interaction and varied case management make it an essential specialty, and one that is highly prized by students.

If this article has interested you and you'd like to find out more, don't hesitate to read our cardiologist salary sheet!