Awareness, knowledge, and interest in interventional radiology among final year medical students in England

Abstract

To investigate awareness, knowledge, and interests in interventional radiology (IR) among final year students. Three hundred and fifty-nine anonymous questionnaires were distributed to final year medical students at two medical institutions in England. A total of 220 students (61%) responded. In the present study, 167 students (75.9%) correctly identified that interventional radiologists perform angioplasty and stenting of arteries. One hundred and twenty students (54.5%) thought cardiac procedures are done by IR. Sixty-nine students (31.4%) knew IR procedures included treatment of tumours. Some of them were aware of other minor IR procedures such as insertion of drainage tubes (57.7%) and central lines (69.1%). The majority of students felt that their knowledge of IR compared to other specialities was poor (55.5%). Most students (81.4%) had not received any formal teaching on IR during medical school. Lack of interest and knowledge were commonly cited as deterrents by students who were against (47.7%) or unsure (37.3%) about pursuing a career in radiology. Nonetheless, 70% of students expressed that they wanted more exposure during medical school. Students express a lack of knowledge and insufficient exposure to IR on the undergraduate curriculum. This has a direct impact on the specialty's chances of being considered as a career path. Implementing teaching in the undergraduate curriculum and increasing early student exposure to IR will encourage the speciality's growth.