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.
Awareness - interventional radiology - medical students
