Medical Student Knowledge and Interest in Interventional Radiology following a Rotation Integrated into the Surgery Clerkship

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate how early exposure to interventional radiology (IR) affects medical students’ knowledge and interest in IR. Methods: Surveys assessing students’ awareness of IR training pathways, IR services, and interest in IR were distributed in 2018. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Likert scale data were evaluated using Mann–Whitney U-test. We hypothesized that students’ interest in IR and knowledge of the specialty would increase following their rotations. Results: 16/20 (80%) pre-rotation and 13/20 post-rotation (65%) students responded to the surveys. About 73% of pre and 85% of post students knew that IR had its own new residency program. About 50% of pre and 100% of post students knew that integrated IR residency was a new training pathway. About 38% of pre and 46% of post students knew that independent IR residency was a new training pathway. About 38% of pre and 62% of post students knew that early specialization was a new training pathway. The number of students who knew IR had admitting privileges doubled (62% post vs. 31% pre). More students knew that IR had a clinic at our hospital (85% vs. 63%). The level of interest in becoming an IR increased from 3.00 to 3.23 (P = 0.36), and the level of interest in becoming a diagnostic radiologist increased from 2.56 to 2.69 (P = 0.91). Conclusion: Awareness of IR as a clinical specialty and familiarity with the new training pathways increased after an IR elective integrated into a surgery rotation. Students’ interest in pursuing IR also non-significantly increased.