Faculty Collaboration Database

Results of a Global Survey on the State of Interventional Radiology 2024. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2025 May;36(5):751-760.e5

Date

01/11/2025

Pubmed ID

39793699

DOI

10.1016/j.jvir.2024.12.594

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-86000361395 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   1 Citation

Abstract

PURPOSE: To characterize the current state of interventional radiology (IR) practice and education worldwide and to identify factors impacting access to IR services.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR)-approved, anonymous survey was created to gather data on demographics, regional IR practice and education characteristics, and challenges impacting local IR development. The survey was distributed to members of global IR societies and shared on social media from June 2022 to September 2023.

RESULTS: Of 1,263 respondents, 987 provided specialty affiliations, including 811 interventional radiologists, 85 diagnostic radiologists (DRs), and 91 interventional radiologists/DRs. Two hundred sixty identified as attending/consultants, 185 as residents/fellows, 12 as medical students, and 7 as technologists/nurses. IR awareness was the greatest reported need globally. Education, patient referrals, and training were also common needs. When compared with North American training programs, there were significant shortages of dedicated IR training programs in Africa (odds ratio [OR], 0.06; P < .001), Asia (OR, 0.50; P = .004), Europe (OR, 0.12; P < .001), and Oceania (OR, 0.12; P < .001). Significant shortage of any IR exposure during radiology training was observed in Africa (OR, 0.31; P < .001), Asia (OR, 0.16; P < .001), and South America (OR, 0.14; P < .001). Additional challenges included awareness and support in the hospital setting and competition with other specialties. Compared with respondents from North America, the top 3 actions recommended to provide the most significant relative impact included establishing IR training programs, providing access to online education, and holding multidisciplinary conferences.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey established the universal needs to increase patient awareness about IR and improve dedicated IR training programs. The results can help guide organizational and societal efforts to improve access to IR services worldwide.

Author List

Guan JJ, Elhakim T, Matsumoto MM, McKeon T, Laage-Gaupp F, Iqbal S, Patel PJ, Pereira P, Tam AL, Binkert C, Sofocleous CT

Author

Parag J. Patel MD, MS, FSIR Vice Chair, Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Female
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Accessibility
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Male
Needs Assessment
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Radiography, Interventional
Radiologists
Radiology, Interventional
Surveys and Questionnaires