Level of Awareness Regarding Interventional Radiology Among Medical Students at Northern Border University in Arar, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Interventional radiology (IR) is a highly specialized field of radiology that employs advanced imaging techniques like MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds to detect and treat a variety of medical disorders. By using minimally invasive procedures, interventional radiologists can access the body's internal organs and tissues with minimal discomfort and reduced risks compared to traditional surgical techniques. Some common IR procedures include angioplasty, embolization, biopsy, and stent placement, among others. Overall, IR is an innovative and effective approach to medical care that offers numerous benefits to patients. As this specialty expands, there is a huge demand for increasing staff. However, due to a lack of awareness, this increased demand could not be fulfilled. Objective The objective is to assess medical students' knowledge regarding IR and compare this knowledge between male and female students. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was carried out at Northern Border University's College of Medicine in Arar, Saudi Arabia. The study aimed to assess the medical students' knowledge of IR. All students enrolled in the clinical years at Northern Border University were included in the study, and a self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data. The minimum sample size required was 169. Appropriate statistical analysis was applied to the collected data, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results One hundred and seventy-two participants in all who met the inclusion criteria answered the study's questionnaire. The fourth-year students represented the highest percentage of the sample, with 65 participants (37.8%), followed by 54 (31.4%) fifth-year students and 53 (30.8%) sixth-year students. The study found that 66 participants (38.4%) rated their knowledge of IR as adequate, while only 8 (4.7%) considered it excellent. The participants' self-rated knowledge of IR did not significantly differ across male and female groups. Conclusion The study's findings suggest that medical students have limited knowledge of IR and that there is no discernible difference in the knowledge and interest of males and females in this subject. Further research and targeted educational interventions may be necessary to improve the medical students' overall knowledge and interest in IR.