EVALUATING CARDIAC AUSCULTATION SKILLS IN INTERNAL MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY TRAINING: PERSPECTIVES FROM A NATIONWIDE SURVEY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SPORTS MEDICINE

Abstract

Background: Cardiac auscultation remains a cornerstone skill in internal medicine and cardiology, crucial not only for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases but also for assessing athlete heart health in sports medicine. Despite advancements in imaging technology, the proficiency in cardiac auscultation significantly enhances a physician's diagnostic capabilities, particularly important in sports settings where cardiovascular assessment needs to be both rapid and accurate. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of various training programs in developing cardiac auscultation skills among interns in internal medicine and cardiology, with a particular focus on applications within sports medicine. The aim is to discern how different educational strategies impact skill acquisition and to integrate traditional clinical teaching with contemporary educational technologies effectively. Methods: A comprehensive nationwide survey was distributed among training institutions, involving program directors, faculty, and trainees. The survey investigated curriculum components including lectures, hands-on training, and simulation-based learning, analyzing their impact on developing proficiency in cardiac auscultation. Performance metrics across different training environments and educational methods were systematically compared. Results: The findings indicated distinct differences in the efficacy of training between internal medicine and cardiology departments. Programs emphasizing simulation-based learning and hands-on patient interaction reported higher effectiveness in trainee proficiency. This correlation highlights the importance of practical experience in developing reliable cardiac auscultation skills. Additionally, a significant gap was identified between trainees perceived and actual skills, suggesting a need for improved assessment methods. Conclusion: To optimize the practice of cardiology and internal medicine within sports medicine, training in cardiac auscultation should prominently feature practical, simulation-based components. This approach is shown to enhance skill acquisition and confidence among trainees, preparing them better for the dynamic requirements of sports medicine. Future Work: Subsequent studies will consider the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the level of training in cardiac auscultation. Efforts will also be made to standardize training assessments and further tailor the training to meet the broad range of clinical needs in sports medicine.