Jessica Kelly Stewart MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Charles M. Maxfield MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mark Lewis Lessne MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

In 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties approved a new Dual Primary Certificate in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR), recognizing IR as a distinct medical specialty. Independent IR/DR training programs will soon select their first trainees, requiring that medical students decide between IR/DR and DR residency programs early in their fourth year. The purpose of this study is to determine whether medical students are prepared to decide between the newly distinct residency training programs of DR and IR/DR.

An electronic survey was sent to all US radiology residency programs, requesting distribution to third and fourth year (R3 and R4) residents. The anonymous survey was comprised of closed-response questions focusing on choice of fellowship, the timing of this fellowship decision, and the impact of residency rotations on this choice. 385 R3 and R4 residents completed the survey. 76% of the respondents were male and 24% were female. 35% of residents reported that they would be pursuing subspecialty training in IR.

Of the R3 and R4 residents responding to the survey, 69% considered both IR and DR while deciding as medical students to pursue radiology residency. Only 14% of responding residents chose a radiology residency for the sole purpose of pursuing IR. 61% of the 133 residents who plan to pursue IR subspecialty training also considered DR as medical students. 74% of R3 and R4 residents reported that IR rotations during their radiology residency were important in making the ultimate decision of whether to pursue an IR fellowship.

A minority of residents planning to pursue IR fellowship training make this decision as medical students. Currently, the decision to pursue IR specialization is most often made after completing IR rotations as a radiology resident. Medical school mentors and IR and DR physicians must soon improve efforts to educate medical students and create opportunities for extensive exposure to these distinct specialties and training programs. Additionally, DR and DR/IR residency programs should anticipate requests for transfers between these programs within the same institution. 

Most R3 and R4 residents report that IR rotations in residency were important in choosing whether to pursue IR. Increased medical student education and exposure to IR and DR will be necessary as new IR residency programs are initiated.

Stewart, J, Maxfield, C, Lessne, M, Ready or Not: Are Medical Students Prepared to Decide between Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14009707.html