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Clements W, Zia A, Srinivas A, Davis J, Goh GS. A prospective cross-sectional study assessing teaching of interventional radiology across 20 Australian medical schools, endorsed by the Australian Medical Students Association. CVIR Endovasc 2022; 5:66. [PMID: 36536064 PMCID: PMC9763521 DOI: 10.1186/s42155-022-00344-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Clements
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia ,grid.511499.1National Trauma Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adil Zia
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
| | - Abhishekh Srinivas
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia ,Australian Medical Students Association, Australian Capital Territory, Barton, Australia
| | - Jasmine Davis
- Australian Medical Students Association, Australian Capital Territory, Barton, Australia
| | - Gerard S. Goh
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia ,grid.511499.1National Trauma Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Moriarty HK, Clements W, Zia A, Connor B, Goh GS. The gender imbalance in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 67:146-154. [PMID: 35261169 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are few female Interventional Radiologists worldwide and this is a significant issue for many countries. There is little known about the current status and attitudes to women in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this study was to explore the gender balance, workforce challenges and perceptions towards women in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS An anonymised voluntary survey exploring the current demographics of Interventional Radiologists and opinions on multiple gender issues in Interventional Radiology was conducted. The survey was sent to all members of the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-tests, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U testing and proportions of binary variables using logistic regression. RESULTS Seventy seven responses were received, 83% males and 17% females. The majority of participants worked full time (83%) and identified as an Interventional Radiologist with/without some sessions of diagnostic radiology per week (83%). There was general consensus in many issues; however, males tended to disagree more than females that female IRs are treated differently than male IRs (p < 0.037), and that male IRs are paid more than female IRs (P = 0.020). Females agreed it was harder for female IRs to gain academic or clinical promotion; however, males disagreed (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION There is a clear gender imbalance in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. Multiple issues should be investigated and addressed by the major stakeholders such as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Interventional Radiology society of Australasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather K Moriarty
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren Clements
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adil Zia
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Gerard S Goh
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Xu Y, Pervez A, Theodoulou I, Zhong J, Lam S, Gkiousias V, Matthews L, Persad MAS, Makris GC. Future Interventional Radiologists and Where to Find Them-Insights from Five UK Interventional Radiology Symposia for Junior Doctors and Medical Students. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2020; 44:300-307. [PMID: 33034702 PMCID: PMC7546133 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-020-02655-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The interventional radiology (IR) trainee recruitment in the UK is lagging behind the pace of service expansion and is potentially hindered by underrepresented undergraduate curricula. Understanding the contributing factors that encourage junior doctors and medical students to consider an IR career will help the IR community to better focus the efforts on recruiting and nurturing the next generation. Methods Anonymised questionnaires on undergraduate and postgraduate IR exposure were distributed to attendees of five UK IR symposia between 2019 and 2020. Results 220 responses were received from 103 (47%) junior doctors and 117 (53%) medical students. Prior IR exposure strongly correlates with individuals’ positive views towards an IR career (Pearson’s R = 0.40, p < 0.001), with involvement in clinical activities as the most important independent contributor (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.21–10.50, p = 0.021). Longer time spent in IR (especially as elective modules) and IR-related portfolio-building experiences (such as participating in research, attending conferences and obtaining career guidance) demonstrate strong association with willingness to pursue an IR career for the more motivated (p values < 0.05). The symposia had overall positive effects on subjective likelihood to pursue an IR career, particularly among junior doctors who face near-term career choices (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study, focusing on a self-selected cohort, identified contributing factors to individuals’ willingness to pursue an IR career. Symposia have additional recruitment effects in extra-curricular settings. Active engagement with junior doctors and medical students through clinical activities and non-clinical portfolio-related experiences are key to generate informed and motivated candidates for the future of IR. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00270-020-02655-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwang Xu
- Imaging Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.,Department of Radiology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anum Pervez
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Royal Free Undergraduate Centre, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - Iakovos Theodoulou
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jim Zhong
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Stefan Lam
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Vasileios Gkiousias
- Royal Free Undergraduate Centre, University College London Medical School, London, UK.,Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Lauren Matthews
- Department of Emergency Medicine, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Melissa A S Persad
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gregory C Makris
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. .,Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Neapoleos 9, Marousi, Athens, Greece.
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Clements W. The evolution of interventional radiology literature in Australia and New Zealand. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2020; 64:366-367. [PMID: 32216039 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Warren Clements
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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