Issues Most Pressing to Early-Career Interventional Radiologists: Results of a Descriptive Survey

Area of Science:

• Medical Specialties
• Radiology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly evolving medical specialty.
• Early-career physicians face unique challenges and have distinct needs compared to established practitioners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the demographics, practice patterns, and career needs of early-career interventional radiologists.
• To understand the preferences of early-career IRs regarding support from the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR).

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey was distributed to 859 SIR members in the US within their first 8 years of practice.
• The survey received 213 responses (25% response rate) and gathered data on demographics, practice composition, and professional needs.

Main Results:

• Respondents were predominantly male (87%), under 40 (73%), and in practice for 6 years or less (79%).
• Most were satisfied with IR as a career (92.4%) and performed complex procedures regularly.
• Key needs identified included mentorship, identification of career barriers, and networking opportunities.

Conclusions:

• Early-career IRs have specific needs distinct from established physicians, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and networking.
• The Society of Interventional Radiology's Early Career Section should prioritize these functions.
• There is a noted lack of comfort with the business aspects of medicine, suggesting a need for targeted educational content.