Educational needs in cardio-oncology: an international survey by the COOL group of the ESC council of cardio-oncology
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aims: Cardio-oncology has emerged as a rapidly growing discipline of cardiology. Despite its clinical relevance, structured education remains limited across medical curricula. The Cardio-Oncologists Of tomorrow Leaders (COOL) group of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Council of Cardio-Oncology conducted an international survey to assess the current state of cardio-oncology training opportunities and perceived needs among healthcare professionals. Methods and results: An anonymized, web-based survey was distributed to cardiologists, cardiology residents and other healthcare professionals treating patients with cancer. A total of 398 respondents completed this survey (mean age 44 ± 12 years; 60% female; 73% board-certified cardiologists). Only 10% reported exposure to cardio-oncology during medical school, and 17% during residency. The majority (>70%) indicated no structured cardio-oncology training opportunities at their institution, with national cardio-oncology programmes available to only 19% of them. Respondents identified the ESC and national cardiac societies (72%) as main stakeholders responsible for developing educational initiatives. Most participants preferred fellowships at centres of excellence (56%), webinars (53%) and university certifications (51%) as learning formats. A strong consensus (over 85%) emerged that all general cardiologists should be familiar with key cardio-oncology principles, including diagnosis and risk-stratification of cardiotoxicity. Responses differed across respondents' training status, work setting (academic vs. non-academic) and country. Conclusion: In parallel with the general growth of the field, there is increasing need of structured and harmonized training in cardio-oncology, including during medical education. Interpretation of results is however, limited by possible selection bias and the absence of a defined denominator, which precluded calculation of response rate.
Source: European Heart Journal Open
Institutions: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sriwijaya University, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Marqueurs cardiovasculaires en situation de stress, Centre Hospitalier Ibn Sina, Akershus University Hospital, Skåne University Hospital, Erasmus MC, Erasmus MC Hart en Vaat Instituut, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital Attikon, University Medical Center Groningen, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid, IDCQ Hospitales y Sanidad, S.L.U.
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,673
OpenAlex ID: W7214221635