Perceptions of interventional radiology amongst international medical graduates

Abstract

To determine perceptions of interventional radiology (IR) amongst international medical graduates (IMGs) in the UK. A survey was undertaken of Trust-grade IMGs at a hospital in the UK. The data were collected using Google Forms and analysed using Microsoft Excel, with free-text responses grouped to mentorship, teaching, exposure, and taster-week themes. Thirty-two percent of the respondents were likely to pursue a career in IR. Eighty-four percent did not have a radiology rotation after graduation, with 20% having a taster week in radiology. Of those likely to pursue a career in IR, 31% had completed a taster week in radiology. Respondents described IR exposure as minimal at 54%. Mentorship, teaching, exposure, and taster week were the themes of the free-text responses. A targeted approach is needed to raise awareness and knowledge of IR as a career choice amongst IMGs. Trusts and departments must remove obstacles to organising taster weeks. IR needs to do a better job of educating IMGs and explaining the IR training pathway. Mentorship of IMGs is a simple tool for introducing and recruiting talent to the IR speciality.