Survey reveals major gaps in cardio-oncology training

by European Society of Cardiology

edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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An international survey has highlighted major gaps in cardio-oncology training, despite its increasing clinical importance. These results were presented at ESC Cardio-Oncology 2026, the second annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology's Council of Cardio-Oncology.

While modern cancer treatments are helping patients live longer, there is growing concern about the cardiovascular side effects of cancer therapies. Cardio-oncology is a relatively new field that aims to optimize cancer treatment while minimizing cardiovascular toxicity. The ESC established the Council of Cardio-Oncology and published expert-led guidelines on cardio-oncology in 2022. The Cardio-Oncologists Of tomorrow Leaders (COOL) group was created within the ESC Council to engage the next generation of cardio-oncology specialists and develop educational strategies to meet their evolving needs.

Members of COOL and the ESC Council were involved in the presented study. Explaining the rationale, Dr. Massimiliano Camilli from Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, said, "The COOL group launched the first comprehensive, international survey on cardio-oncology education, from medical school through postgraduate training, to understand the current status and the needs of health care professionals across Europe and beyond."

An anonymized, web-based survey was distributed to cardiologists, cardiology residents and other health care professionals treating patients with cancer. A total of 398 respondents from 63 countries completed the survey, of whom 73% were board-certified cardiologists.

The survey revealed limited cardio-oncology training during undergraduate and postgraduate education. Only 10% of respondents reported exposure to cardio-oncology training during medical school, and 17% during residency. When asked about the availability of structured cardio-oncology educational programs at their institution, the vast majority of respondents—87%—reported no availability of formal training.

Subgroup analyses found that access to cardio-oncology training opportunities was greater among respondents working in academic hospitals and among participants from European countries compared with non-European countries.

Across respondents, diagnosing cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity, alongside strategies for risk stratification, prevention and monitoring, were highlighted as key priority areas of knowledge. The preferred learning formats were fellowships focused on cardio-oncology, webinars, university master's degrees and position statements on controversial topics developed by scientific societies. Respondents identified the ESC and national cardiac societies as the principal organizations able to lead education in the field.

Summing up the results, Camilli said, "The survey identified profound gaps in cardio-oncology education during medical school and residency and in structured institutional programs."

On the positive side, he noted that efforts are being made to fill the gaps: "The recently released ESC Core Curriculum for Cardio-Oncology, together with the ESC Guidelines, facilitate training standardization and provide the foundations for new ESC Cardio-Oncology certification."

He concluded, "Improving cardio-oncology education is a must—across all stages of medical training and all specialties involved—to enable prevention and early management of cardiovascular complications in patients with cancer."

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CardiologyOncology Provided by European Society of Cardiology Who's behind this story?

Stephanie Baum

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