Current Status of Interventional Radiology Research: Results of a CIRREF Survey and Implications for Future Research Strategies

Abstract

MEDICAL research forms the foundation for health-care advancement and the development of nascent therapies. The specialty of vascular and interventional radiology has been characterized by a rich history of new technology development, validation, and adoption of new procedures into medical practice. Despite this, the level of participation of practicing interventional radiologists in basic science and clinical research remains poorly defined and has lagged behind other subspecialties as well as diagnostic radiology (www.search.nih.gov). To better determine the demographics of interventional radiology research practices, a survey was commissioned by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation (CIRREF) and distributed to the membership of the Society of Interventional Radiology (nee SCVIR). The objectives of this project were to provide insights for the development of an intellectual foundation for the creation of a vascular and interventional radiology research infrastructure. Specifically, the survey sought to identify (i) research experience and training, (ii) current research activity, (iii) individual and institutional research support, (iv) reasons that limit interventional radiologists’ participation in or development of research initiatives, and (v) vascular and interventional and radiology research priorities.