Evaluating current and recent fellows’ perceptions on the interventional radiology residency: Results of a United States survey

Medical student challenges in the wake of integrated interventional radiology residency: A review

Interventional radiology is a new medical specialty that recently created an integrated residency. This study serves a comprehensive review of literature discussing the challenges that medical students encounter in light of this new pathway, with a specific emphasis on the virtual application process. An analysis of 24 articles revealed that exposure to interventional radiology in medical school is lacking, with a limited pool of diverse mentors in the field. Moreover, medical school advising to students applying to interventional radiology may be inadequate. Although initiatives have been successful in increasing exposure, and there is encouraging data on diversity in the field at the trainee level since the start of the integrated residency, addressing the needs of medical students and focusing on the gaps in mentorship, advising, and curriculum is crucial for the success of applicants and overall specialty recruitment. The virtual process has provided on average $6008 of savings for applicants.

A prospective cross-sectional study assessing teaching of interventional radiology across 20 Australian medical schools, endorsed by the Australian Medical Students Association

BACKGROUND

Existing literature from around the world has shown that teaching of Interventional Radiology (IR) to medical students remains suboptimal. Despite calls for improvement at a "grass-roots" level, most IRs find that junior doctors have limited or no knowledge of IR, and thus reduced awareness of potential IR treatments for their patients or contemplating IR as a future career. The aim of this study was to survey current medical students to assess perception of whether a wider variety of medical schools are integrating IR into their curriculum, from universities all across Australia. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of members of the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA) from across Australia. Students were given a 14-question survey of current university teaching and students' knowledge of the discipline of IR. The primary outcome was perception of current teaching and knowledge of IR. Secondary outcomes include awareness of technical, clinical, and other duties of IRs.

RESULTS

Surveys were sent in a newsletter and posted on the AMSA Facebook page to their members. 82 responses were received via students from 20 out of 23 Australian medical schools. 61% of students described poor or no knowledge of IR. Teaching of IR was significantly worse than diagnostic radiology (p < 0.001), only 12% suggested that current IR teaching was adequate, and 99% suggested that IR teaching could be improved. Only 11% of students would consider a career in IR.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical student perception of exposure to IR is poor compared to diagnostic radiology. Better awareness may lead to improved referral patterns for patients and more career interest in IR.

Work and Training Conditions of German Residents and Young Radiologists in Interventional Radiology - A Nationwide Survey

INTRODUCTION

 With the increasing need for minimally invasive procedures based on lower complication rates, higher patient acceptance, and technical developments, there is a growing focus on the sound interventional training of young radiologists. This survey aimed to analyze the current situation in interventional radiology (IR) training in Germany to detect shortcomings and identify areas for improvement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 From November 1-30, 2020, an online questionnaire was distributed to representative radiological associations and societies with the request to forward it to radiology residents and radiologists < 40 years. The 44 questions covered six distinct areas from personal working conditions to the characterization of the IR department, training conditions, role of women in IR, and attendance at congresses/external training.

RESULTS

 A total of 330 participants completed the questionnaire. 77 % of participants expressed a high interest in IR, and 47 % could even imagine subspecializing in interventional radiology. Most institutions provided the necessary learning conditions and infrastructure. The rate of overall satisfaction with IR training conditions was 45 % (vs. a dissatisfaction rate of 39 %). However, females showed a lower satisfaction rate with their training environment than male participants (28 % vs. 51 %; P = 0.06). Positive correlations with work satisfaction were found for the presence and duration of the IR rotation, the number of partly independently/mentored performed interventions, and structured feedback. Moreover, the need for a structured training curriculum was expressed by 67 % of participants.

CONCLUSION

 Radiological residents and young radiologists expressed a high interest in interventional radiology, and they rate the infrastructure of German hospitals regarding IR as sufficient. However, they expressed the need for consistent IR rotations and better-structured resident and postgraduate education (curricula & interviews).

KEY POINTS

Interest in interventional radiology among radiological residents and young radiologists in Germany is high, but satisfaction with interventional radiology training leaves room for improvement. The most frequently mentioned aspects that can improve IR training were · organized rotations of at least 6 months. · structured curriculums with face-to-face feedback. · structured guidance by senior interventionists during procedures.

CITATION FORMAT

· Sieren M, Katoh M, Mahnken AH et al. Work and Training Conditions of German Residents and Young Radiologists in Interventional Radiology - A Nationwide Survey. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; DOI: 10.1055/a-1853-8549.

Results of the 2019 Survey of the American Alliance of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

An annual survey of chief residents in accredited North American radiology programs is conducted by the American Alliance of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A³CR²). The purpose of this study is to summarize the 2019 A³CR² chief resident survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An online survey was distributed to chief residents from 194 Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education-accredited radiology residencies. Questions were designed to gather information about residency program details, call and weekend coverage, interventional radiology training, fellowship, social media use, healthcare reform, artificial intelligence, and job market status.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-two unique responses from 99 programs were provided, yielding a 51% program response rate. There was a mean of 7.3 women per residency with a mean program size of 28 residents (26% women). Only 3 of the 99 (3%) programs had a proportion of women that was 50% or higher. The proportion of women in radiology residencies is unchanged since 2014 (p= 0.93) and is significantly lower than 2019 graduating women medical students (49.3%; p < 0.001). Thirty-five percent of programs had 24/7 attending coverage and 40% of programs had extended hours attending shifts. Of programs without 24/7 attending coverage, the proportion of programs without face-to-face readout has increased from 34% in 2014 to 55% in 2019 (p = 0.015). The majority (67%) of respondents had no concerns about the radiology job market; compared to 2014, where only 4% had no concerns (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Women remain underrepresented in radiology, face-to-face readout is decreasing, and there has been a shift towards a positive job market outlook.

Establishing a Platform for Interest and Education in Interventional Radiology Amongst Radiology Trainees

PURPOSE

Over recent times, procedural Radiologists have begun to establish themselves as the distinct subspecialty of Interventional Radiology (IR). The Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA) was established in 1982 to share collaborative ideas, encourage research, and promote education. IRSA developed a weekend registrar workshop attended by Radiology Registrars from Australia and New Zealand. In the 2018 event, we surveyed the Registrars to identify their interest in IR training before and after the workshop.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The event was held over a weekend and consisted of both lectures and hands-on workshops. A survey was handed to all 67 registrants of the workshop and there was a 55% response rate including 78% of females in attendance.

RESULTS

Before the workshop, trainees rated their interest in IR training at a mean of 3.7 out of 5. After the workshop, trainees rated their interest in IR training as an average of 4.4 out of 5 (p < 0.001). The difference in interest between males and females before the workshop (4.0 vs. 3.1) was significant (p = 0.003), however after the workshop (4.5 vs. 4.1) was not significant (p = 0.07). The change in interest from attending the workshop was significant between genders, p = 0.03 (male interest increased mean 0.5, female increased mean 1.0).

CONCLUSION

We show that a program of lectures and workshops designed to generate interest in IR leads to a significant increase in training interest, particularly amongst females. Other subspecialty groups should consider this type of intervention and promote ongoing education and inspiration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Cross-sectional study, Level IV.

How Does the Current Generation of Medical Students View the Radiology Match?: An Analysis of the AuntMinnie and Student Doctor Network Online Forums

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The AuntMinnie (AM) and the Student Doctor Network (SDN) online forums are popular resources for medical students applying for residency. The purpose of this study was to describe medical student radiology-related posts on AM and SDN to better understand the medical student perspective on the application and Match process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed all posts made on the AM and SDN online forums over 5 consecutive academic years from July 2012 to July 2017. Each thread was organized into one of six major categories. We quantified forum utilization over the past 5 years by the total number of and the most frequently posted and viewed thread topics.

RESULTS

We reviewed 2683 total threads with 5,723,909 views. Total number of threads posted and viewed fell by 46% and 63%, respectively, from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015, after which they returned near baseline by 2016-2017, along with an increase in interventional radiology-related posts between 2012-2013 (13%) and 2016-2017 (32%) (P < .001). The most common application-related topics were preapplication and program ranking advice (20% of all threads and views). Many posts were related to postinterview communication with residency programs (2% of all threads and views).

CONCLUSIONS

After a drop in 2013-2014, utilization of AM and SDN increased in 2016-2017, along with increased interest in interventional radiology. Addressing the student concerns identified in our study, especially in preparing residency applications, ranking programs, and navigating difficult situations, such as postinterview program communication, may improve the radiology application process for future medical students and their advisors.