Abstract No. 238 - Needs assessment survey of vascular interventional education in the diagnostic radiology residency

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of the current vascular interventional radiology (VIR) education on technical and conceptual self-competency in the traditional residency pathway. Materials and Methods Thirty-nine residents (78% response rate) from the 2011 Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) meeting were included. A 38-item questionnaire based on the SIR curriculum was designed to assess the radiology residents’ self-competency in general IR concepts (11 topics), vascular diseases (13 topics), and vascular procedures (14 procedures). Each item ranged from 1 (not confident at all) to 5 (very confident). Residents were divided into two groups, those with an IR rotation (Group 1, n=29) versus those with no IR rotation (Group 2, n=10) with comparison made using 24 general and vascular disease-related questions. The residents who had an IR rotation were further categorized into those who had participated in less than ten cases per week (Group 1A, n=11) versus residents with more than 10 cases (Group 1B, n=18) with comparison made using all questions. The comparisons were done using logistic and linear regression models. Results The average self-perceived confidence level did not reach level 4 or 5 on any of the questions. In terms of general competency, Group 1 only felt more confident in understanding methods to decrease radiation doses and in recommending proper use of CTA (p Group 1B residents were more confident than Group 1A in only six of the 38 items, including IVC filter placement, placement of chest wall access devices, and performing selective catheterization (p Conclusion Our data suggests that residents with IR rotations and those with more cases per week have higher self-competency in limited areas. However, the current self-competency level of radiology residents in VIR is not satisfactory and further improvement in VIR education is warranted.