Smolderen et al1 can be applauded for the “call to action” for advancing psychological care needs within cardiovascular disease populations. We suggest that integrated training with cardiology fellows and health psychology doctoral students can efficiently achieve this objective.
A recent special issue in the journal, Health Psychology, highlighted that our program at the East Carolina Heart Institute at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina was the only such interdisciplinary training program with attention to both the heart and mind.2 Faculty in cardiology and psychology synergized to create training goals and curriculums for cardiology fellows and health psychology trainees. Key collaborative foci include addressing patient quality of life, psychological and behavioral functioning, and the patient experience in cardiology clinics. Research collaborations have included both patient outcomes research and professional development issues, such as physician burnout.
Interestingly, collaborative training between medicine and psychology is required in family medicine residencies.3 Program evaluations have reported this to be broadly valuable in clinical and training outcomes.4,5 Collectively, cardiology fellowship training would likely benefit from incorporating comprehensive training and care models such as this “heart and mind” approach to improve the patient experience of managing cardiovascular disease.
Footnotes
The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper todisclose.
The authors attest they are in compliance with human studies committees and animal welfare regulations of the authors’ institutions and Food and Drug Administration guidelines, including patient consent where appropriate. For more information, visit the Author Center.
References
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