Expanding global health opportunities for UK-based interventional radiology trainees.

AIMS: As the future workload of interventional radiologists in the UK continues to expand, it is imperative that current IR trainees are given maximal opportunities to expand their skill sets. This paper argues that opportunities for involvement in international collaborative fieldwork should be expanded for interventional radiology trainees in the UK, as a means of maximising their future competency and positive contribution to the advancement of global healthcare. The study builds upon first-hand experience of the authors in the field and a review of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This scoping review aimed to ascertain the current global health opportunities for interventional radiology trainees primarily in Resource Limited Countries (RLCs). This review further contrasted these opportunities with ones provided to trainees within North America and European countries. RESULTS: This review found that the opportunities for international collaborative fieldwork for UK interventional radiology trainees are sparse. The availability of such opportunities in the US is significantly greater as is the awareness and appreciation of the benefits of such international collaborations for trainees. Benefits include greater experience with a variety of pathologies, a potentially larger volume of workload, improved cultural competency and proficiency and greater cost-conscious and more sustainable practices. It is also pertinent that any future global partnership opportunities for UK clinicians are crafted with care to benefit both UK and international healthcare professionals, institutions and patients within RLCs. CONCLUSION: Significant work is needed to expand opportunities for global health for interventional radiology trainees in the UK. It is incumbent upon the major radiology societies and educational bodies within the UK to expand upon such opportunities to develop a robust, world-leading workforce, which would subsequently enhance our global health positionality and reflexivity.

The Introduction of an Undergraduate Interventional Radiology (IR) Curriculum: Impact on Medical Student Knowledge and Interest in IR.

INTRODUCTION: Interventional radiology (IR) plays a vital role in modern medicine, with increasing demand for services, but with a shortage of experienced interventionalists. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a recently introduced IR curriculum on perception, knowledge, and interest of medical students regarding various aspects of IR. METHODS: In 2014, an anonymous web-based questionnaire was sent to 309 4th year medical students in a single institution within an EU country, both before and after delivery of a 10-h IR teaching curriculum. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent (236/309) of the respondents participated in the pre-IR module survey, while 50% (157/309) responded to the post-IR module survey. While 62% (147/236) of the respondents reported poor or no knowledge of IR compared to other medical disciplines in the pre-IR module survey, this decreased to 17% (27/157) in the post-IR module survey. The correct responses regarding knowledge of selected IR procedures improved from 70 to 94% for venous access, 78 to 99% for uterine fibroid embolization, 75 to 97% for GI bleeding embolization, 60 to 92% for trauma embolization, 71 to 92% for tumor ablation, and 81 to 94% for angioplasty and stenting in peripheral arterial disease. With regard to knowledge of IR clinical roles, responses improved from 42 to 59% for outpatient clinic review of patients and having inpatient beds, 63-76% for direct patient consultation, and 43-60% for having regular ward rounds. The number of students who would consider a career in IR increased from 60 to 73%. CONCLUSION: Delivering an undergraduate IR curriculum increased the knowledge and understanding of various aspects of IR and also the general enthusiasm for pursuing this specialty as a future career choice.