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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of interventional radiology (IR) among final-year medical students and medical interns at a Saudi University. Analysis of such awareness could help to improve the future of IR in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on anonymous surveys administered over a one month period (1st - 31st December 2012). One hundred and nineteen medical students and interns of King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia were included. Forty-two (35.3%) replies were received. The survey consisted of 25 questions covering perception, knowledge, and interest of interventional radiology. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents (52%) felt their knowledge in IR is poor. Only 40% of the respondents either completed or plan to complete an elective rotation in radiology. Thirty-eight percent of respondents were willing to consider a career in IR. The most common reason (43%) for not considering a career in IR was lack of knowledge. Only 33% correctly identified the route of training of interventional radiologist. The majority of respondents thought that interventional radiologists performed cardiac angioplasty (81%), and femoral popliteal bypass (74%). CONCLUSION: Exposure to IR among medical students and interns was poor. This can be addressed by dedicated undergraduate teaching of IR by interventional radiologists with emphasis on the clinical practice.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

841

Last Page

847

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