Changes in IR from 2007 to 2017 in China.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Healthcare Systems Analysis

Background:

• Interventional radiology (IR) has evolved globally, necessitating updated data on its practice in developing healthcare systems.
• China's healthcare landscape has seen rapid changes, impacting specialized medical fields like IR.
• Jiangsu Province, with its high economic and health standards, serves as a representative region for assessing IR development in China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the current status of interventional radiology (IR) in China.
• To compare the 2017 status of IR in Jiangsu Province with data from a decade prior.
• To analyze the departmental structure, resources, and procedural volume of IR in a leading Chinese province.

Main Methods:

• A poll was conducted in 2017 across 98 centers in Jiangsu Province, China.
• Data collected included departmental independence, presence of inpatient wards, number of interventional radiologists, and total procedures performed.
• The proportion of different procedure types, with a focus on interventional oncology, was analyzed.

Main Results:

• 57% of surveyed centers had established independent interventional radiology (IR) departments.
• 76% of IR departments reported having dedicated inpatient wards.
• In 2017, 538 interventional radiologists performed 69,277 IR procedures, with interventional oncology comprising 58% of the total volume.

Conclusions:

• Interventional radiology (IR) in Jiangsu Province has matured significantly over the past decade, marked by increased departmental independence and infrastructure.
• The substantial number of procedures and dedicated specialists highlight the growing importance and integration of IR in clinical practice.
• Interventional oncology represents a major focus area, indicating a strong clinical demand and specialized development within IR.