Affiliated to:
Excellence in EP: A Career in Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP) and Device Therapy is for all High Quality Trainees, including Women
Forward from Dr Edward Rowland
Past President of Heart Rhythm UK (2011 - 2012), Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist
Supported by Dr Stephen Furniss, President of Heart Rhythm UK (2011 - 2014), Consultant Cardiologist
It is a great pleasure to introduce and encourage this initiative. Cardiac electrophysiology has been a growth area in cardiology for at least a decade and shows no sign of diminishing that upward trend. The epidemic of atrial fibrillation and the value of device therapy in the treatment of heart failure are just two obvious areas that represent clinical priorities. These will drive health service priorities, attract research grants and encourage medical industry investment. As a profession, we have a responsibility to showcase the value of our work and to attract the best clinical staff. We need to demonstrate to those entering their medical careers what a rewarding and stimulating specialty we work in. Who amongst us cannot fail to be thrilled by making the diagnosis of heart block as a cause of syncope, curing a teenager of Wolff- Parkinson- White syndrome or seeing the evidence on interrogating an ICD that it has recognised and reverted VT within a few seconds. These are a few obvious examples - whether it is diagnosis, interventional treatments or research, there are exciting and valuable contributions to be made.
Amongst the initiatives to attract the very best doctors and physiologists into cardiac electrophysiology, we must recognise how valuable it would be to our specialty to increase the number of women working as EP specialists. The work of the group leading this initiative has described the issues, and outlined some of the ways in which this can be achieved.
Our vision is to demonstrate the multitude of opportunities and to work with leaders to develop career structures which are attractive. Not all posts in arrhythmology involve endless hours in the cath lab. Indeed one of the challenges for us is to define how we recognise and prevent rhythm problems at earlier stages than at present.
This initiative is designed to show that a career in cardiac EP provides challenges and rewards that can be the equal of any in medicine. A greater representation of women in electrophysiology would enhance and improve our specialty enormously.
The full length paper can be viewed/ downloaded as a PDF file by clicking here. This highlights and addresses common misconceptions about a career in EP and/ or device therapy, discusses training during pregnancy, and presents proposed job plans for pregnancy and part- time work for trainees and consultants. Quotes from the experts are also included.
The reference to the 'AVI Atrial Tachycardia' file highlighted in red at the top of page 6 in the PDF document, can be downloaded and viewed using your media player by clicking here. This file illustrates a Carto image of an atrial tachycardia arising from the posterior wall of the left atrium; red denotes the point of earliest activation and blue, the latest.
HRUK Task Force Committee
Professor Richard Schilling
Professor of Cardiology and Electrophysiology
St Bartholomew's Hospital and Queen Mary University of London
HRUK Treasurer
Founder of the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Dr Kim Rajappan
Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist
John Radcliffe Hospital
Co-lead of the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Dr Aaisha Opel
Specialist Registrar in Cardiology (EP and Devices)
London Deanery
Lead Ambassador for the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Email: aaishaopel@aol.com
Dr Ashley Nisbet
Specialist Registrar in Cardiology (EP and devices)
West of Scotland Deanery
Ambassador for the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Email: ashley.nisbet@nhs.net
Dr Honey Thomas
Specialist Registrar in Cardiology (Devices)
Northern Deanery
Ambassador for the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Email: honeythomas@btinternet.com
Dr Fozia Ahmed
Specialist Registrar in Cardiology (Devices)
North West Deanery
Ambassador for the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Email: foziaahmed@doctors.org.uk
Dr Jane Caldwell
Clinical Lecturer (EP and devices)
North West Deanery
Ambassador for the HRUK Excellence in EP group
Email: Jane.Caldwell@manchester.ac.uk