The need for minimally invasive image-guided interventions has proven its effectiveness across the modern world in terms of better patient outcomes, reduced mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay in the United States (US) and European healthcare systems (1). It has positively shaped healthcare economics by reducing the cost of care by reinforcing the day case procedures (1). The demand for interventional radiology (IR) procedures is surpassing the availability of qualified specialists, particularly in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East (1, 2). This issue also holds true for the Southeast Asian region, where research and advancements in the field are actively progressing (3–5).

IR is an image-guided procedural domain of radiology. It is “keyhole surgery with x-ray vision.” The vision is achieved by incorporating modalities like ultrasonography, x-rays, and CT scan, resulting in minimally invasive procedures, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications (6).

Due to low awareness levels, IR is a nascent field rarely chosen by medical students in Pakistan. Very few centers are providing formal training in the country (7). Lack of infrastructure, lack of knowledge regarding IR, and shortage of existing trained IR specialists are part of the problem. There is also a need for more exposure to IR during medical school (2, 5, 8). The medical students get hands-on experience during general surgery or internal medicine rotation but exposure to radiology in general and IR, in particular, is limited (1). There is a lack of role models for students and a general perception that radiologists are antisocial (9, 10). Cardiology and vascular surgery involving imaging and catheterization procedures usually get more interest from students (11).

IR in Pakistan is in the early phase with few training opportunities. This study aims to assess the exposure, interest, and understanding of various components of IR among medical students in Pakistan.

IR is facing unique challenges, such as low awareness levels and a need for qualified professionals, despite having immense potential and job security (2, 5, 8). This study assessed the level of knowledge, exposure, and interest in IR among medical students in Pakistan.

The majority, 94.4%, opted for a future in clinical specialty over basic sciences, which concord with a study conducted by Kim et al. that 87.7% of medical students intended a career in clinical medicine (4). 65.5% of the participants chose radiology, with 28.8 and 20.2% categorically interested in diagnostic radiology and IR, respectively. Sebastian et al. reported similar results with medical students in India interested in radiology (42%) and IR (36%) (5). In Europe, 41% considered IR, while in Saudi Arabia, 16.6 and 14.4% opted for diagnostic radiology and IR, respectively (2, 8). In the USA, 18.5% of 4^th-year medical students chose radiology and did so on the advice of a mentor, faculty adviser, family member, or friend (13). Male gender has a significant association for preferring IR. Existing literature reports an association between male gender and a preference for procedural and technical-oriented medical specialties (10, 14).

63.5% had adequate to excellent self-reported knowledge of IR, which is in contrast with as 61.6% of respondents in India, 63% in Europe, and 52.4% in Oman reported a lack of awareness about IR (2, 5, 8). 37.2% of the participant’s institutes did not have an IR department with only 43.5% having mandatory IR rotation. Only 29% had attended elective IR rotations. Still, that is a small number compared to 76.7% being interested in attending IR rotations. Sebastian et al. reported that 58.7% of the students had experience with the IR department because IR services were available in 48% of the respondents’ institutions (5). Highlighting the fact that the presence of IR services in teaching hospitals would increase medical students’ exposure to and familiarity with IR. The knowledge and interest in IR as a career increased in medical students from 6 to 45% and 60 to 73%, respectively, after a 10-h educational session on IR (15).

Almost 62.8% of participants were familiar with angioplasty as an IR procedure, with cardiologists being the primary source (42.8%), which is consistent with earlier studies, as out of the 100% familiarity rate of angioplasty in India, 67.6% were made aware of angioplasty by cardiologist (5). In comparison, 83% were exposed to angioplasty by a European cardiologist (10). Recognition level of other procedures such as vertebroplasty (6.84%), HIFU (11.2%), and TACE, and TIPS (16.1%) was low, even though 45.8% of participants correctly identified tools used by an interventional radiologist. In contrast, Sebastian et al. reported only 9.2% familiarity with all of the IR procedures, with 74.2% being aware of neuro-interventional procedures as IR procedures (5). Participants responded to the interventional radiologist’s duties in the treatment of major illnesses (43.3%) and ward rounds (30.4%). Ward rounds are undertaken by IR specialists in 55 out of 97 departments (56.7%), according to a survey conducted by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the cardiovascular and interventional radiological society of Europe (CIRSE) (10). Regarding exposure to IR, participants considered ward rounds (56.2%) and attachment to the radiology department (48.9%). Leong et al. reported as 60% of European final-year medical students preferred interventional radiology rotation for exposure to the field. Direct exposure and hand on practice are considered the best learning mediums, making these the most suitable for educating medical students (8). 63.5% of respondents perceived IR. with good prospects accordant with that of Saudi Arabia (76%), and in Europe (80%) perceived IR. with good to excellent prospects (1, 2). Longer rotations (2 weeks to 4 or more weeks) in a clinical specialty raise the chance of choosing it as a career choice (2). The participants with a positive outlook on the prospects of IR were more interested in selecting IR as a career than those with poor knowledge and awareness of IR (2, 5, 8). Medical students with an excellent view of future aspects of IR had higher interest in IR as a career being consistent with Park et.al as the medical students being interested in IR were more certain about knowledge regarding IR (16).

Factors influencing the choice of IR as a future medical specialty were high income (73.86%), intellectual stimulation (48.07%) and job flexibility (28.42%). Park et al. reported that medical students interested in IR were more motivated by procedures (3.1/5), job market (2.8/5) and salary (2.6/5) and were less motivated by direct patient care (2.8/5) and longitudinal patient care (1.6/5) (16). The common factors influencing participants’ specialty selection were the attractive salaries, the effect on patient care, career prospects, personal interest, and job flexibility (5, 17). The major reasons for selecting radiology were high pay, intellectual stimulation, and an interest in anatomy. The most significant aspects alluded to were intellectual stimulation, work atmosphere, and influence on patient care (13, 18).

Our study emphasizes integrating the IR curriculum into undergraduate medical training. International organizations such as the CIRSE, the British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR), and the Indian Society for Vascular and Interventional Radiology (ISVIR) have devised various IR programs with yearly congresses like “Be Inspired” with hands-on workshops, interactive activities, and quiz programs customized specifically to introduce undergraduate medical students to IR (19, 20). Integrated regional support program (IRSP) is working in Pakistan to bring together specialists from various disciplines through a series of international conferences and local workshops with the goal of integration and knowledge management. The cardiology and endovascular surgery procedures overlap with interventional radiology procedures; it can be addressed if IR delivers higher qualitative expertise supported by research and technology than other specialties or by a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients (21, 22). Furthermore, a significant emphasis is to ensure that medical students have an understanding and convenient access to the training in the IR.

Radiology is a diverse and technical medical specialty incorporating all the latest innovations in modern sciences from virtual reality (VR) to artificial intelligence (AI). VR had been proven beneficial in IR training for learning and acquisition of procedural skills as angiography, angioplasty, stent placement and vascular catheterization (23). Furthermore, integration of AI techniques in IR also improves procedural planning and execution as well as facilitates follow up of treatment. AI would benefit individual patient management and also optimizes the radiology education globally (24). E-learning, VR and simulation platforms will raise the interest of medical students in IR and also improve their learning. Medical education should be updated with the latest innovations continuously to facilitate the training and education of medical students.

Our study has limitations. Firstly, the questionnaire was distributed electronically, which may have resulted in a selection bias. Secondly, because there were no responses from some medical colleges, it may not reflect all the medical students in the country. Thirdly, the study used a survey-based approach, which may have introduced a certain degree of response bias because respondents interested in the subject were more likely to fill out the questionnaire correctly. The response to self-reported knowledge about IR was subjective by the individual participants resulting in the biased and subjectivity of responses. In fact, in this study medical students’ self-assessment of their knowledge about IR is only their perception of their knowledge and not their actual knowledge about IR as examined in detail by Park et al. (16).

IR is a nascent field in Pakistan hampered by a personnel shortage and the need for more awareness among medical students. This study evaluated exposure, understanding, and interest in IR among Pakistani medical students. The majority were inclined towards the clinical side of medicine, with many interested in radiology and IR. Participants reported gaps in knowledge, understanding of IR, and limited exposure to during medical school. A structured, integrated undergraduate IR medical curriculum with exposure to techniques, workflow and procedures may improve the prospects of IR in medical students. Teaching institutes with IR departments should offer elective programs even to the medical students of other institutes. Regardless of their potential specialty, all undergraduates should have basic knowledge regarding IR. More IR departments should be established in teaching institutes, and training slots should be available to increase the number of IR professionals to overcome deficiencies in healthcare.

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

The studies involving humans were approved by Informed consent was obtained from all the participants and also from parents/legal guardians of minors and illiterates. The Foundation University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan approved the study protocol (FF/FUMC/215-192 PHY/22). We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Participants were assured about the confidentiality of any obtained information. The responses were kept confidentially and data from this research was managed only researchers in this study, Results will be used only for research and data cannot be traced back to their original sources. The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent for participation in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardians/next of kin.

MT, MA, and MuC: conceived the idea. MuC, MaC, SS, and MT collected the data. ME and MA analyzed and interpreted the data. MuC, WT, MaC, SS, MM, ZY, and MT did write up of the manuscript. ZY, AZ, ME, and MA reviewed the manuscript for intellectual content critically. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.