A cardiology college could have several definitions, which need to be explained before choosing to join one can be considered. This term could refer to a college or school people attend to learn some of the finer points of cardiology if they are becoming nurse practitioners or nurse specialists, physician assistants, or technicians and technologists in things like echocardiography. There is no such school for the pediatric cardiologist, cardiologist, and cardiothoracic surgeon, though these doctors pick a medical school after attending college, and then apply for a residency/fellowship in their specialties. Another definition of cardiology college is a medical association, something some technicians/technologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and cardiologists or surgeons might join while still studying or after gaining licensure and board certification.
In the first context defined, the cardiology college would refer to any school that offered cardiology subjects. People could determine which schools might be the most attractive by looking at school reputation, interviewing with schools, and deciding which ones have the most attractive programs and will provide the best training. There are fortunately many excellent colleges and/or some trade and vocation schools that may offer training for many different positions in the cardiology field.
As stated, doctors who want to specialize in either surgical or medical cardiology do not attend a cardiology college per se. Rather, they get an undergraduate degree, and then apply to medical school, which may be part of a larger college. After graduation from medical school, a doctor can specialize and look for residencies or fellowships that will continue training so that the doctor learns the finer points of medical treatment and can pass board examinations.
Many specialists then choose to join a cardiology college or association that may have many potential services. Organizations like the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the European Society of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography and the Association for European Paediatric Cardiology are all potentials depending on interest and area of medicine. Sometimes membership in these colleges might confer special benefits. For instance, a physician member of the ACC can become a fellow of the college and use F.A.C.C. as part of his or her official title. Others are less interested in the additional designation but may want to keep abreast of current studies and ideas on best practices that may be published in journals produced by each association, which are usually accessible with membership.
Which cardiology college or association to join ultimately rests with each individual, and it should be noted that membership in these associations may not be limited to doctors. Many different people working in various aspects of cardiology are able to join the ACC and other groups, provided they have letters of recommendation and a certain level of skill or credentialing in their profession. Even doctors who have not yet passed board exams and are completing a fellowship could be eligible to join a cardiology college, giving them access to conferences, literature, and all material the organization provides.
It probably makes most sense to belong to the cardiology college that most represents interest in the field and location. It’s likely an American doctor would want to be part of the ACC, which also has state chapters. The European doctor conversely would probably find the European Society of Cardiology a better home. Some doctors belong to both, and membership in multiple organizations is quite common.
