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4-Week Learning Path for Pediatric Residents

A structured guide for pediatric residents on cardiology rotation.

How to Use This Guide

  • Daily: 1-2 topics (15-20 min each) + 5-10 flashcards
  • Weekly: 1-2 clinical cases + 10-15 board questions
  • Reference: Drug dosing, normal values, algorithms as needed

Week 1: Foundations & Common Presentations

Goal: Master what you'll see daily on the wards and in clinic.

Day 1-2: History, Physical & ECG

Priority Topic Time
Must Cardiac History & Physical 15 min
Must Heart Sounds & Murmurs 15 min
Must Innocent Murmurs 15 min
Must Pediatric ECG Basics 20 min
Should Chest Pain 15 min
Reference Normal Values Bookmark

Day 3-4: Acquired Heart Disease

Priority Topic Time
Must Kawasaki Disease 20 min
Must Myocarditis 15 min
Should Pericarditis 15 min
Should Acute Rheumatic Fever 15 min

Day 5: Clinical Integration

Activity Resource
Case Case 001 - Infant with Murmur
Case Case 006 - Teen Chest Pain
Questions Acquired Disease Set 1

Weekend Review

Week 2: Arrhythmias & Syncope

Goal: Recognize dangerous rhythms and know when to worry about syncope.

Day 1-2: Arrhythmia Basics

Priority Topic Time
Must Arrhythmias & Devices 20 min
Must Syncope 15 min
Should Channelopathies 20 min
Reference SVT Management Algorithm Bookmark

Day 3-4: Sports & Screening

Priority Topic Time
Must Sports Cardiology 15 min
Must CCHD Screening 15 min
Should AAOCA 15 min
Reference Sports Clearance Algorithm Bookmark

Day 5: Clinical Integration

Activity Resource
Case Case 002 - Syncope in Athlete
Case Case 005 - Infant SVT
Case Case 008 - CPVT Syncope
Questions Electrophysiology Set 1

Weekend Review

Week 3: Cardiomyopathy & Heart Failure

Goal: Understand cardiomyopathy types and heart failure management principles.

Day 1-2: Cardiomyopathies

Priority Topic Time
Must HCM 20 min
Must Cardiomyopathy Overview 15 min
Should Neuromuscular Diseases 15 min

Day 3-4: Heart Failure & Special Populations

Priority Topic Time
Must Heart Failure in CHD 20 min
Should Pediatric Hypertension 15 min
Should Genetic Syndromes 15 min
Reference Drug Dosing Bookmark

Day 5: Clinical Integration

Activity Resource
Case Case 011 - PPE Abnormal ECG
Case Case 014 - DMD Surveillance
Questions Cardiomyopathy Set 1

Weekend Review

Week 4: Special Topics & Board Review

Goal: Cover remaining high-yield topics and consolidate knowledge.

Day 1-2: CHD Overview & Pulmonary

Priority Topic Time
Must Acyanotic CHD 20 min
Must Cyanotic CHD 20 min
Should Pulmonary Hypertension 20 min
Should Fontan Basics 15 min

Day 3-4: Practical & Diagnostic Topics

Priority Topic Time
Must IE Prophylaxis 10 min
Must COVID/MIS-C 15 min
Should Fetal Echo Indications 15 min
Should Lipid Screening 10 min
Reference Vascular Rings Bookmark

Day 5: Integration & Consolidation

Activity Resource
Case Case 003 - Cyanotic Newborn
Case Case 004 - Kawasaki with CAA
Case Case 007 - Failed CCHD Screen
Questions Rapid Review Questions

Weekend: Final Review

Quick Reference Card

When to Consult Cardiology (Urgently)

Finding Action
Failed CCHD screen Consult immediately
Cyanosis + minimal distress Consult + consider PGE1
SVT not breaking with vagal Consult + adenosine
Syncope + exertion/palpitations Consult + ECG
New murmur + symptoms Consult + echo
Kawasaki suspected Consult within hours

When to Consult Cardiology (Non-urgent)

Finding Action
Asymptomatic murmur Outpatient echo
Chest pain, normal exam Reassurance usually OK
Benign syncope pattern Consider cardiology if recurrent
Family history of SCD ECG + consider referral

By Topic Category

Must-Know (Daily Practice)

  • Innocent Murmurs, Chest Pain, ECG Basics
  • Kawasaki, Myocarditis, Pericarditis
  • Syncope, Sports Cardiology
  • CCHD Screening, IE Prophylaxis

Should-Know (Weekly Encounters)

  • Arrhythmias, Channelopathies
  • HCM, Heart Failure
  • Hypertension, MIS-C
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

Good-to-Know (Monthly/Referral)

  • Fontan, ACHD
  • Aortopathy, Genetic Syndromes
  • Transplant, Neuromuscular
  • Fetal Echo Indications, Vascular Rings

Progress Tracker

Week Topics Cases Questions Complete
1 [ ] 6 topics [ ] 2 cases [ ] 10 Qs [ ]
2 [ ] 6 topics [ ] 3 cases [ ] 10 Qs [ ]
3 [ ] 6 topics [ ] 2 cases [ ] 10 Qs [ ]
4 [ ] 6 topics [ ] 3 cases [ ] 20 Qs [ ]

Designed for pediatric residents on 4-week cardiology rotation