Background: Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialized field within radiology that diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions through minimally invasive surgical procedures involving various radiological techniques. In recent years, the role of IR has expanded to include a range of organ systems, leading to an increased demand for this specialty. The present study aimed at investigating the perceptions of interventional radiology (IR) as a specialty among medical students and medical interns in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, targeting male and female medical students in Riyadh City, KSA, in January 2023. We utilized a questionnaire for face-to-face and phone interviews to assess their knowledge about IR. The data were cleared and entered through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: A total of 314 students participated in the study, with 49% in the preclinical years and 51% in the clinical years. Forty-two percent reported that they had poor information and knowledge about IR. Only 28% of students were planning to take an elective and radiology rotation, while 27% said they would consider a career in IR. Among the 73% of participants who would not consider a career in IR, the highest reasons, in order, were "I do not find it interesting" (45%), "Radiation exposure" (14%), and "The lifestyle is not for me" (12%). Regarding training, 48% thought that an IR must complete a residency training program in both radiology and surgery, and only 36% of the students believed that an IR must finish training in radiology.
Conclusion: Our findings reveal that the perception and exposure to IR among medical students and interns are generally poor. This has a direct influence on the students' decision regarding IR as a career.
Key words: Interventional Radiology, medical student, interns, perceptions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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