Awareness of Interventional Radiology among Clinical Years’ Medical Students and Medical Interns at University of Hail

Abstract

Context: One of the most important challenges facing the evolution of modern interventional radiology is its lack of awareness among medical students. Aims: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, perception, and views of the University of Hail clinical year medical students and medical interns regarding various interventional radiology topics. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study on 244 clinical years' medical students and 87 medical interns from the University of Hail. Materials and Methods: A validated anonymous electronic questionnaire regarding awareness of various interventional radiology topics was sent to all clinical years' students and medical interns, and the results were analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: The sample size was calculated through the Raosoft sample size calculator website. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistics. Results: We received 200 responses. Majority of the participants (45%) agreed that their knowledge and information regarding interventional radiology was poor. Few participants (17%) were interested in considering a career in diagnostic radiology or interventional radiology. The most common reported reason for not considering radiology as a career option was lack of adequate knowledge about the subject (27.5%). Majority of participants (72.5%) had not been exposed to interventional radiology. Only 36.5% of participants were interested in doing a 2-week interventional radiology elective during their internship year. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the majority of undergraduates and interns lack basic knowledge of interventional radiology. About one-third of the respondents were interested in doing their elective term in interventional radiology, and more than half of the participants were not interested or were unsure.