ADMISSION NOTICE TO THE 2nd LEVEL MASTER IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY AND CARDIAC PACING

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1 ADMISSION NOTICE TO THE 2nd LEVEL MASTER IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY AND CARDIAC PACING The University of Insubria, located in Varese, in co-operation with the Brescia University, offers a 2 nd level Master Degree in Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing. In order to be admitted to the selection process candidates must have a Degree of Bachelor of Medicine, with a major &/or specialization in Cardiology. The Educational Scientific Committee will assess the suitability of all educational qualifications achieved in foreign countries in accordance with the criteria as described in the Admission Requirements section (pages 5-6). Aim of the Master Cardiac electrophysiology has undergone a relevant development and a considerable change in the last 30 years. Particularly, not only there was an improvement in terms of diagnostic tools for the detection of arrhythmia but also a greater knowledge in terms of molecular genetics and bioimaging procedures. Moreover, the progress in the treatment of arrhythmia (i.e. ablation procedures and implantation of automatic defibrillators - ICD) radically changed the management of patients diagnosed with arrhythmia. In the early 70s the study of cardiac arrhythmia had somehow a speculative connotation and electrophysiology itself was mistakenly considered a non relevant branch of cardiology investigated by few researchers. However in the 80s, and especially in the 90s, this science gained recognition within the cardiology field thanks to the relevant development in terms of new therapeutic options having an immediate practical impact: new anti-arrhythmic drugs, surgical approaches, radio-frequency ablation, implantable defibrillators. In this context, the knowledge of the molecular and electrophysiologic basis of cardiac arrhythmia acquired in the decade going from the mid 70s to the mid 80s proved fundamental for the subsequent application of all new therapeutic options. Arrhythmia in the Cardiological and Medical context Cardiac arrhythmia plays a central role in the Cardiological and medical context. Researchers in this specific branch of Cardiology have played over a long period a marginal role in the scientific community, being somehow unrecognized by the international scientific world. However today elecrophysiologists can be considered one of the most relevant and qualified groups of physicians gathering at national and international meetings. On the other hand the epidemiological switch towards degenerative pathologies typical of the 3 rd millennium leading to a considerable growth in the number of patients with chronic cardiac affections (i.e. degenerative heart diseases) may justify the importance acquired by the new discipline. In fact these patients are almost always also arrhythmic patients and the management of their pathology necessarily needs to take into account the arrhythmic problem. In this context the role of the arrhythmologist and/or the electrophysiologist has become central for the management of a large number of patients with cardiovascular diseases; as a consequence the role of the arrhythmologist and electrophysiologist has become central in the international scientific world. In and out-of-hospital Electrophysiology The in-hospital role of electrophysiology and cardiac stimulation has become more and more remarkable. In some cases, where a complex healthcare offer of both general cardiology & cardiac surgery care is granted, the medical budget directly or indirectly related to these disciplines, equals 1

2 no less than 60% of the total budget allocated to cardiology. Moreover in the out-of-hospital context all problems regarding electrophysiology and cardiac stimulation undoubtedly draw the healthcare management s growing attention. In about one half of the total population, mortality is due to cardiovascular diseases and about 50% out of these deadly events are sudden deaths caused by malignant arrhythmia. Sudden cardiac death is a dramatic event, fatal in most cases, often occurring in a productive phase of peoples lives as it often regards a relatively young population. We must also acknowledge that even when the arrhythmia is not life-threatening, it can have a substantially negative impact on the patient s quality of life. Therefore, the social impact of the disciplines this master will deal with appears unquestionable. In the recent past Cardiology has started a long and difficult confrontation process, in order to come to terms with the significant developments regarding several scientific and/or medical disciplines directly or indirectly related to cardiology itself, which are strongly affected by technology. One of the premises for the design of the present Master was in fact the need to facilitate the process of unification above mentioned. The role of Cardiology with respect to healthcare planning is becoming more and more crucial because of the relevance and the high impact of chronic cardiovascular diseases on the patient s population, although people generally live longer. Today electrophysiology and cardiac stimulation have a growing importance not only from a scientific point of view (in-hospital) but also in terms of healthcare policies (out-of-hospital) they can be related to. We strongly believe that a complete and satisfactory training in electrophysiology and cardiac stimulation can be can be achieved by the 2 nd level master s degree program we are offering, designed for who wish tu pursue both an advanced training and a deeper knowledge in order to deal successfully with cardiovascular diseases. Objectives and Career prospects The objective of this master is to study all aspects of arrhythmia from cell to bedside that is, not only to supply relevant updated data that will allow the participants to deal at best with the disease from a scientific point of view, but also to provide training in all aspects of clinical electrophysiology and arrhythmia management. In the electrophysiology and cardiac stimulation field, in which extremely specialized issues are involved, the continuous evolution of knowledge, technologies and materials necessarily require a post-specialization training update for any physician wanting to operate in this specific field. Such professional post-specialization training update, which is the primary objective of this master, is already being carried out in the USA by the H.R.S (Heart Rhythm Society, former N.A.S.P.E). Potential applicants are Medicine and Surgery graduates with a Cardiology major. The master s degree program is designed to provide the opportunity to acquire a deep theoretical and practical knowledge finalized to the management of patients diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia. The knowledge achieved with the master will be useful both in terms of professional practice (career in either public or private hospital, teaching & position as researchers, clinical investigators for university or private institutions, health departments, governmental agencies, etc. ) and in terms of professional opportunities in the healthcare management (planners, program managers, etc). 2

3 Program Structure Duration: 2 years First year: begins November 2004-ends October 2005 Second year: begins November ends October 2006 Program Description: 8 sections with full-time attendance to lectures (seat Varese-Italy) and clinical laboratory practical training (for details of laboratory location refer to the Practical Training section) for periods of 6 consecutive months. Also, at least once a month, candidates will be required to attend to seminars with the participation of international scientific tutors. The courses are planned on a weekly basis, from Monday to Friday. The seat of theoretical courses will be Varese, by the Cardiovascular Sciences Division of the Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, every Tuesday from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Practical training will be performed in the selected clinical laboratories from Monday to Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., and from 2.30 p.m. onwards. 8 clinical laboratories have been selected throughout the Lombardia Region. No more than 2 candidates will be eligible for each location and each participant will continuously attend the same laboratory for 6 months. During the 2 years participants are expected to attend 4 laboratories; 6 months may be spent in a clinical laboratory of a foreign university. The language of the master s degree courses will be Italian and/or English. FIRST YEAR MODULES CREDIT PROGRAM COURSE POINTS FEE 1) MECHANISM OF ARRHYTHMIA 5 November , Basis of electrophysiology December 21, ) DIAGNOSIS OF ARRHYTHMIA 6 January , Surface 12-lead ECG February , Invasive electrophysiological studies -Laboratory Safety 3) DRUG THERAPY 5 March 15-22, Farmacodinamics and farmacocynetics April , ) NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY 14 4a May , a Supraventricular tachycardia June 7-14, b Atrial Flutter and atrial fibrillation 4b July , 2005 Sept , 2005 PRACTICAL TRAINING 30 3

4 SECOND YEAR MODULES CREDIT POINTS 5) VENTRICULAR TACHYARRHYTHMIAS 4 6) ELECTRIC TREATMENT OF ARRHYTHMIA WITH 7 IMPLANTABLE DEVICES: -Pacemakers -Automatic Implantable Defibrillators 7) PARTICULAR CONDITIONS: 7 -Syncope -Sudden Cardiac Death 8) HISTORICAL, ECONOMICAL, STATISTICAL AND 8 FORENSIC MEDICINE ASPECTS -Historical aspects -Economical aspects -Statistical aspects -Forensic medicine aspects PRACTICAL TRAINING 28 FINAL EXAMINATION 6 There will be a number of assessments during the course (oral and written tests) in order to evaluate the candidates knowledge and a final examination in order to achieve the master s degree. The evaluation on the candidates assessments will be expressed with a 0-30/30 grading during the course and with a 0-100/100 grading in the final examination. Compulsory attendance is required. Candidates for the master s degree won t be allowed to miss more than 15% of the total amount of the courses. Any candidate wishing to achieve the master s degree must attend at least at 85% of total hours of lectures and practical training and complete a thesis to be discussed with the course s tutors. The thesis will have to be published on a reviewed journal. Practical training Practical training will be performed in the selected clinical laboratories from Monday to Friday, in the morning from 8.30 am to 1.30 p.m., and in the afternoon from 2.30 p.m. onwards. The clinical laboratories in which the practical training will be performed are: - Cardiology Department, Cliniche Gavazzeni di Bergamo - Cardiology Department, Universita degli Studi di Brescia - Cardiology Department, Istituto Clinico Mater Domini di Castellanza, Varese - Cardiology Department, Ospedale Ca Granda di Milano - Cardiology Department, Istituto Clinico Sant Ambrogio di Milano - Cardiology Department, Istituto Clinico San Donato di Milano - Cardiology Department, Universita degli Studi di Pavia - Cardiovascular Science, Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Varese 4

5 Final examination and Master s Degree In order to achieve the 2 nd level master s degree in electrophysiology and cardiac pacing candidates are required to attend the courses and complete all planned assessments including final examination based on the thesis. The master s degree achieved upon successful completion of final examination is eligible for accreditation and requires a total of 60 credit points. Number of participants and enrollment fee There are 16 positions available for the master s program. The course will be activated only if the balance sheet will not close with a profit loss. The individual enrolment fee is 4.000/year. All participants will receive a scholarship of /year. The scholarship will be available only provided the candidates do not have any kind of income deriving from independent or dependent professional activity (see below for details). However an extra number of participants (max. 4 candidates) may be admitted to the master s program even if they are already receiving an income deriving from dependent professional activity performed in a public or private institution &/or hospital. Candidates will be admitted only if authorized by their employers. If application forms exceed the number of available posts (max 4), a selection based on the educational qualifications of the candidates will be carried out, following the criteria described in the master s Admission Requirements section (see below). Admission to individual sections: the maximum number of participants admitted to individual sections is 16 candidates per section. If application forms exceed the number of available places, a selection based on the educational qualifications of the candidates will be carried out, following the criteria described in the Master s Admission Requirements section (see below). For admission to individual sections part of the second year master s program, an informative public notice with details of admission requirements and application procedures will be presented in June-July Application forms resulting incomplete or overdue will not be accepted Admission requirements Applicants to this Master should have a Degree of Bachelor of Medicine with a major in Cardiology. Alternatively a recognized medical degree in Medicine and specialization in Cardiology from an approved university or equivalent academic accredited qualification achieved in a foreign country. Physicians who still have not completed their Major in Cardiology can participate to the selection and may be admitted under condition provided they will achieve their specialization within October 31th, If the number of participants exceeds the maximum number of available posts (16), a selection will be carried out based on the educational qualifications and curricula of the candidates. Particularly: - Bachelor s Degree final grading - Specialization s grading - Grading of specific bachelor s degree courses relating to the master s degree program 5

6 - Final bachelor degree s thesis and final specialization s thesis will be considered as a unpublished scientific work, therefore not being taken into account. However they may have an impact on the candidate s selection process if concerning the master s degree program (if published they will be assessed only once) - Publications in the fields of arrhythmia will be assessed according to the type of work (article, monography, congress presentations etc) and to the importance of the journal in which they have been published All candidates with a recognized medical degree and/or specialization from an approved foreign university will be equally submitted to the selection criteria described above so to have an equivalent comprehensive evaluation. The criteria and the parameters used to determine the candidate s final ranking list will be defined by the Examination Committee, appointed by the University s Dean upon suggestion of the Didactic Scientific Committee. Incompatibility Rule It is strictly forbidden to enroll in more than one master s courses of the same University or of other Universities. Any student violating this rule must formally resign from one of the courses within 15 days from reception of a written communication by the student s secretary office (article 25, University Didactic Regulation Procedures). Master s Scholarships The participants of the master will receive an annual scholarship of , annual scholarships will be available, paid by installments every three months. The financial aid is granted thanks to the contribution of private firms. Insurance Policy At the time of registration to the master s courses, students will have to submit an insurance policy necessary in order to cover professional risks, accidents and general/legal civil liability. For further information you may contact the Student s Secretary Office. Application Procedures 1. Participants on scholarship: the application form must be submitted from June 1 st to July 30th 2004 as follows: a) Italian citizens and foreigners who have an Italian internal revenue code ( codice fiscale ) must submit the application form by SIFA on-line terminal (located in Via Castelnuovo n.7, Via Cavallotti n. 5- Como and in Via Ravasi n.2, Via Ottorino Rossi- padiglione Antonini, Via Dunant Varese) or directly through the internet site of the Insubria University ( following payment at any Italian post office of 37,00 (of which 26,67 as refund to perform the admission test and 10,33 due for the virtual duty stamp). The paying form must also indicate Tassa per la partecipazione alla prova concorsuale Master in elettrofisiologia e cardiostimolazione and the recipient s postal account number (n ) and details, Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Servizio Tesoreria, Via Ravasi 2, 21100, Varese. When selecting the application submission option by SIFA online terminal you must choose the section Servizi di Segreteria del SIFA online and then select the Application Form ( Gestione domande di ammissione ) then Admission to Master/Courses ( Ammissione Master/Corsi di perfezionamento ) and follow indications on video. At the end of the operations the SIFA terminal 6

7 gives you a registration receipt. This receipt will have to be printed and delivered (together with the payment receipt of 37-) to the Examining Committee of the University. Candidates with a degree from the University of Insubria may access the SIFA online terminal using their registration number; foreigners may use their Italian internal revenue code ( codice fiscale ). The application form can be modified until deadline (if so each time a candidate submits a change a new registration receipt will be printed) Moreover Candidates must also send within July 30th to the Organizing Secretary s Office- Cardiovascular Science Division - Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri Varese the following documents : - Curriculum vitae et studiorum - Academic, Scientific and Professional qualifications (copy of the Final bachelor degree s thesis and final specialization s thesis and any publication relating to the master s contents) - Receipt of online registration and receipt of payment of 37. b) Foreign candidates without an Italian internal revenue code ( codice fiscale ) must submit the application form directly to the Student s Secretary Office (Ufficio Segreteria Studenti) at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Via Ravasi n 2-Varese. The form is available at the student s secretary office or can be printed on line ( selecting post-degree or student s secretary office ). Application forms resulting incomplete or overdue will not be accepted. If candidates send the application form by post (via insured mail Raccomandata AR ) we will consider the actual date of receipt at the Student s Secretary Office. Foreign candidates or Italians with an academic accredited qualification achieved from an approved university in a foreign country must submit a formal request to equalize their foreign degree in the application form they submit and supply the following documents within July 30 th am: -Academic qualification translated and legalized by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the title has been achieved; - Declaration of on site legal value ( Dichiarazione di valore in loco ) that will have to be requested to the Embassy or Consulate The candidates will also have to submit to the Organizing Secretary s Office-Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri Varese (within the set deadline) the following documents: - Curriculum vitae et studiorum, - Academic, Scientific and Professional qualifications (copy of the Final bachelor degree s thesis and final specialization s thesis and any publication relating to the master s contents) - Receipt of online registration and receipt of payment of 37.. The form is available at the Student s Secretary Office (Ufficio Segreteria Studenti) or can be printed on line ( selecting post-degree or student s secretary office ). All candidates admitted to the master s courses under condition must formally declare, under their responsibility, that they will be completing their last year of their Cardiology specialization within October 31st, The payment of 37 will not be refunded in any case. 2. Participants not on scholarship (4 positions available) The application form is available on line ( and must be submitted to the Student s Secretary s Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Via Ravasi n 2-Varese from June 1 st to July 30 th 12 am, following payment at any Italian post office of 37 (of which 26,67 as refund to perform the test and 10,33 due for the virtual duty stamp). The paying form must also indicate Tassa per la 7

8 partecipazione alla prova concorsuale Master in elettrofisiologia e cardiostimolazione and the recipient s postal account number (n ) and details, Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Servizio Tesoreria, Via Ravasi 2, 21100, Varese. Candidates must also submit to the Organizing Secretary s Office-Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri Varese (within the deadline) the following documents: - Curriculum vitae et studiorum, - Academic, Scientific and Professional qualifications (copy of the Final bachelor degree s thesis and final specialization s thesis and any publication relating to the master s contents) - Receipt of online registration and receipt of payment of 37. If application forms exceed the number of available posts (max 4), a selection will be carried out based on the educational qualifications and curricula of the candidates, following the criteria described in the master s Admission Requirements section so to have an equivalent comprehensive evaluation. The payment of 37 will not be refunded in any case. 3. Admission to individual modules: the application form available on line ( together with a virtual duty stamp of 10,33, must be presented at Student s Secretary s Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Via Ravasi n 2-Varese, or sent by post (by insured mail Raccomandata AR - we will consider the date of receipt at the Student s Secretary Office) from June 1 st to July 30 th by 12 am. On the envelope (when the option is insured mail) candidates will need to specify the object of application Admission to individual modules of the Master Degree in Electrophysiology and Cardiac Stimulation. Candidates must also submit to the Organizing Secretary s Office-Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri Varese (within the deadline) the following documents: - Curriculum vitae et studiorum, - Academic, Scientific and Professional qualifications (copy of the Final bachelor degree s thesis and final specialization s thesis and any publication relating to the master s contents) - Receipt of online registration and receipt of payment of 37. If application forms exceed the number of available posts (16 candidates), a selection will be carried out based on the educational qualifications and curricula of the candidates, following the criteria described in the master s Admission Requirements section Selection Outcome The final ranking list of all admitted candidates will be published officially by the Albo Rettorale of the faculty (via Ravasi n 2 Varese) and the university internet site ( The official publication list replaces any other personal communication. Any candidate wishing to appeal against the results of the selection may file a claim to the TAR (Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale) within 60 days, or alternatively file an extraordinary appeal to the President of the State within 120 days. All admitted candidates must complete the application form within October 22nd, 2004 at the Student s Secretary s Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (Monday-Tuesday-Thursday- Friday from 9.30 am to am; Wednesday from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.). The application form will be available on line. 8

9 FEES Admission to the Master: enrollment fees: 4.000,00/year (c/c postale n , in favor of Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Servizio Tesoreria, Via Ravasi 2, 21100, Varese; reason of payment Enrollment fee to the 2 nd level Master in Electrophysiology and Cardiac Stimulation ). Admission to individual modules: it is possible to apply for admission to a maximum of 3 individual modules per year. Fees are as follow: 400,00 for the module MECHANISM OF ARRHYTHMIAS ; 600,00 for DIAGNOSIS OF ARRHYTHMIAS ; 500,00 for DRUG THERAPY ; 1.200,00 for NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY (c/c postale n , in favor of Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Servizio Tesoreria, Via Ravasi 2, 21100, Varese; reason of payment Enrollment fee to the forms of the 2 nd level Master in Electrophysiology and Cardiac Stimulation ). Master Coordinator For any inquiry regarding the administrative procedure for the master s degree, please contact dr. Cinzia Rotta, appointed master coordinator, at the Student s Secretary s Office, Varese. For further information please contact: Cardiovascular Science Division Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Universita degli Studi dell Insubria Viale Borri Varese Tel For general administrative information: Universita degli Studi dell Insubria, Via Ravasi Varese Tel Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, Brescia Tel Varese, May 31th 2004 Dean University of Insubria Prof. Renzo Dionigi Dean University of Brescia Prof. Augusto Preti 9