Improving interventional radiologist knowledge of procedural charges: A real-time education initiative

Supply-related device charges represent a substantial component of interventional radiology (IR) procedure expenditures, yet formal education in charge awareness during training is variable. This study assessed baseline knowledge of supply-related procedure and device charges among IR residents and attendings and evaluated a targeted educational intervention for senior residents.

IR residents and attendings at a single academic medical center completed a survey assessing attitudes toward cost-conscious care and estimating supply-related charges for 10 common IR procedures and 8 devices. Senior residents (PGY-5/6) received an intervention consisting of real-time feedback of total supply charges after procedures, instruction on accessing itemized charge data within the electronic medical record, and two didactic sessions addressing device economics and institutional charge variation. The survey was repeated after four months. Accuracy was defined as estimates within ±25% of reference charges. Pre- and post-intervention responses were compared by training level.

Response rates were 23/27 (85%) pre-intervention and 20/27 (74%) post-intervention. At baseline, all respondents endorsed the importance of cost-conscious practice and a desire to learn device charges; only 1/23 (4%) reported prior dedicated training. Among senior residents, those reporting adequate education about device charges increased from 12% to 86% (P = 0.010), and perceived access to institutional charge information increased from 0% to 71% (P = 0.007). Procedure charge accuracy improved from 14% to 33% (P = 0.006), and device charge accuracy improved from 4.7% to 29% (P < 0.001).

IR trainees and attendings demonstrated limited baseline knowledge of supply-related charges. A low-resource educational intervention improved senior resident awareness and estimation accuracy.