by Dr. James Allred MD, FACC, FHRS
The need for device clinician education is at an all-time high.
As data from implanted devices travels at the speed of 100 Mbps to cardiology practices nationwide, in real-time, an existential crisis exists.
With my journey as electrophysiologist with device clinic passion and the CEO of CV Remote Solutions, I have witnessed firsthand the pressing need for comprehensive education in device clinics across the country.
Practices cannot recruit, hire, and train team members fast enough to meet their growing device management needs. At the same time, seasoned device specialists are retiring, leaving for industry, or abandoning corporate cultures that no longer meet their personal needs.
The task of staff retention is daunting. AND, with the exodus of seasoned device clinic specialists, there is a huge knowledge gap and experience deficit that may take years to overcome! How do you appropriately compensate for expertise required for this endeavor?
As I engage with electrophysiologists across the country, it's abundantly clear that clinics of all sizes, from large healthcare systems and academic institutions to private practices, are struggling to meet the demands of device clinic education. It seems that inadequate device clinic staffing with less experienced and overworked team members has become the new normal.
What is the answer? What is the solution?
Busy physicians appreciate the expertise of their staff and may want to encourage it but often do not have the bandwidth to educate or perform close oversite. Many physicians are struggling themselves with the tasks of today. Industry is pulled in numerous directions and also find very little time for staff training and education.
For clinics currently working with meager staff, software is not the answer!
AI will not meet our growing human need. Gust Bardy’s team demonstrated the inadequacies of machine-based algorithms in contemporary management of arrhythmias. His work highlights the importance of human skills and also suggests that technology has a ways to go.
We must empower collaboration!
Amidst these challenges, innovative solutions have emerged to address the growing need for education. Industry sponsored studies like Time and Motion 2 have helped us better understand the time and effort required to adequately manage patients with implanted devices. The recently published HRS consensus statement 3 reinforced the expectation of standards of care. For many clinicians these efforts have been received with gratitude. Payors have embraced the understanding of remote monitoring benefits and have provided technical financial support. Now that we have identified, validated, and financially supported the endeavor, where does the training come from? Educational platforms such as ATI, PrepMD, and Harding University offer very effective training options tailored to the unique needs of aspiring device clinicians. Additionally, pioneering initiatives through virtual education platforms like Virtual Pacing Academy, Medtronic Academy, and CHART are revolutionizing the way clinicians acquire and refine their skills.
These options are cost effective for systems and should be encouraged. My clinical practice has found substantial success in partnership with ATI over the past 15 years. We have also made Medtronic Academy the cornerstone of our office training. Many have found the services of PrepMD to be successful and it has been gratifying to see them dive deeper into education, embracing other aspects of EP and other cardiology subspecialties in recent years. The most innovative options in education have risen more recently. A MBA program through Harding University has allowed clinicians-in-training to spend a year of dedicated time learning the trade. What sets Virtual Pacing Academy (VPA) apart is their dedication to accommodating busy schedules by offering after-hours sessions to cater to individuals balancing multiple responsibilities at affordable rates to ensure that no one is left behind in pursuing their passion for electrophysiology. I cannot commend them enough for their mission! CHART, after finding success in EP lab team development has begun the journey of device clinic education through a software training program.
I think the biggest opportunities lie within our societies. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) have demonstrated commitment to the growth and career enhancement of clinicians. It has been fantastic to see HRS support through programs such as Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP). By leveraging the resources and expertise of societies, we can amplify our impact and foster a culture of continuous learning within the healthcare community.
Our Turn
As this journey continues, CV Remote Solutions is committed to participating in the development of device clinic staff. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like MedAxiom, we are able to offer comprehensive education and training programs to our partners at an affordable price. But true progress requires collective effort. It's incumbent upon all stakeholders – clinicians, industry leaders, and professional societies- to actively engage in the development of the next generation of device clinic staff. How do we move the needle? How do we collectively participate in the advancement of patient care? What am I suggesting?
I think the answer lies in the understanding that we all have responsibility to engage and develop the next generation of EP team members. The effort of those who invested in our success can be passed to those that we embrace. EP Fellows need to be trained in device management so that they can work productively with their device clinic leads. Device clinic staff members need to impart their wisdom to those that are hired. Industry needs to continue to contribute to the knowledge base of old and young. Our societies need to embrace these solutions and work to continue to provide support. By sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and embracing innovative solutions, we can shape a future where every patient receives the highest standard of device care. With virtual options, our collective reach has never been greater! For more information about resources available through our team, visit our website here or reach out to us at info@cvremotesolutions.com.
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