Renal and iliac artery stenting by interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons: the Foundation to Advance Medical Education (FAME) initiative

Abstract

The American College of Cardiology, in concert with the Society for Coronary Angiography and Interventions and the Society for Vascular Surgery, planned and implemented an initiative to teach stenting of renal and iliac arteries to their peers in practice. Supported by the Foundation to advance medical Education (FAME), the initiative involved 25 preceptees and 6 preceptors and included a didactic portion (a remote learning exercise), an animal practicum, a procedural simulation, and a preceptor/preceptee training segment, all of which was followed by evaluations by the participants. Assessments of the success of the initiative differed between preceptees, who were positive about the experience, and preceptors, who were more critical of the endeavor (with surgeons more critical than cardiologists). Technical problems, such as obtaining temporary licensure to practice medicine in another state, interfered with the hands-on experiences of several preceptees. Programs such as the FAME initiative will grow in importance as new technologies continue to be introduced into medical practice and the need to train physicians in practice in their use expands.