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Understanding the Awareness, Knowledge and Perceptions of Interventional Radiology Amongst Undergraduates in the UK

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Abstract

Introduction

The role of interventional radiology (IR) in health care is rapidly expanding in the United Kingdom (UK). However, the presence of IR in the current undergraduate curriculum is lacking.

Purpose

This study investigates the awareness, knowledge and perceptions of IR in undergraduates through the clinical years of medical school to suggest future interventions.

Methods

A total of 360 questionnaires, designed to test undergraduates’ knowledge of, and exposure to, IR were distributed over a 14-day period in a UK medical institution.

Results

Of the 312 respondents (86.7%), the majority had never formally shadowed a radiologist (65.4%) or encountered teaching from an interventional radiologist (54.5%). Most students (88.5%) felt their knowledge of IR was lower than other specialties. Students’ knowledge of IR procedures did not statistically increase through the clinical years. Students were most cognisant of vascular procedures and least aware of IR’s role in oncology. Only 10.9% would consider a career in IR, with 39.7% citing the lack of knowledge and 18.6% citing patient contact as the top reasons for this.

Conclusion

Current students have poor exposure to IR through the undergraduate curriculum. Consequently, there is no increase in knowledge of IR clinical practice through the clinical years. Multi-level interventions, incorporating universities and radiological societies are required to increase undergraduate awareness and promote IR as a career.

Level of Evidence

Level 3, Local non-random sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 10 Mansion Gate, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4SX, UK

    Siddhant Muzumdar & Paul Walker

  2. University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Siya Dayal

  3. University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Malak Mohamed & Sanita Sandhu

  4. London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Saisha Singh

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  1. Siddhant Muzumdar
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Correspondence to Siddhant Muzumdar.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Muzumdar, S., Dayal, S., Mohamed, M. et al. Understanding the Awareness, Knowledge and Perceptions of Interventional Radiology Amongst Undergraduates in the UK. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 42, 1459–1465 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02234-5

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