Interventional radiologists across the globe agree: Specialty must increase awareness

Interventional radiologists across the globe agree: The specialty must do more to make itself seen, according to new data published Wednesday. 

Researchers recently fielded the survey, hoping to collect information about the state of IR practice and factors that impact access. Across nearly 1,300 global responses, one common theme emerged, experts write in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

“This survey recorded a universal recognition of the need to increase public awareness of IR as a specialty that brings value in the global healthcare system,” Justin J. Guan, MD, an interventional radiologist with the Cleveland Clinic, and co-authors concluded. “Establishing global IR training standards and improving regional access to high-quality IR education and training were top priorities. The results of this survey can help guide organizational and societal efforts in improving access to IR services worldwide.”

Guan and colleagues administered their Society of Interventional Radiology-approved, anonymous survey between 2022 and 2023. They targeted members of international medical groups including SIR, the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe, the Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society, the Society of African Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Therapy, the Asia and Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, the Chinese College of Interventionalists, and the Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 

Out of 1,263 respondents, 987 provided their specialty affiliations. These included 811 IRs, 85 diagnostic radiologists and 91 IR/DRs. About 260 identified as attendings/consultants, 185 residents/fellows, 12 medical students, and 7 technologists/nurses. “IR awareness” emerged as the greatest global demand. Other common themes were the need for IR education, patient referrals, and training. Guan and co-authors noted significant shortages of dedicated interventional training programs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The authors also highlighted noteworthy shortages of any IR exposure during radiology training in Africa, Asia and South America. Almost 1 in 4 respondents reported the absence of structured IR training in their country, and 1 in 5 received zero exposure. 

“Additional challenges included awareness and support in the hospital setting and competition with other specialties,” the authors wrote. “Compared to respondents from North America, the top three actions recommended to provide the most significant relative impact included establishing IR training programs, providing access to online education, and holding multidisciplinary conferences.”

The global lack of awareness about IR and its services transcends regions and socioeconomic status, Guan and co-authors reported. Knowledge is low not only among patients, but also referrers, primary care docs, healthcare workers and the public at large. They highlighted possible international actions including (1) establishing IR training programs in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America; (2) providing access to online education in Africa, Asia and South America; and (3) organizing local IR conferences in Asia, Africa and South America. 

North America holds the largest IR market share, and the Asia-Pacific region is projected to have the highest future growth rate, the authors noted. Investments by IR societies, governments and industry into regions with less developed infrastructure could help to improve training, education and awareness, they added. This also may serve to stimulate market growth in such regions, producing “significant future returns on investment.” 

“Ultimately, there must be global recognition of IR as a medical discipline that offers significant value to the healthcare system,” the authors advised. “By further improving outcomes, lowering complications, and shortening hospital stays compared to surgery, IR reduces individual and societal costs. This added value to the healthcare system is highlighted by IR’s extensive involvement in numerous specialties including surgery, oncology, gastroenterology, cardiovascular medicine, nephrology, urology, infectious disease, pediatrics, pain management, and others. The increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures, coupled with patient-centered care, tailored management plans and the rising incorporation of artificial intelligence and robotics, further enhance IR’s market value. An additional key driver of the IR market growth is the rising proportion of aging populations. Education of trainees, physicians, and the public can provide a valuable solution to enhance awareness, increase referrals, improve patient outcomes, and stimulate public conversations that can further enhance awareness about IR.”