Current Status of the clinical role in Spanish interventional radiology: An online survey among the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) members

• Published in: European journal of radiology 2024-12, Vol.181, p.111829, Article 111829
• Main Authors: García Jurado, Pedro Blas, Espejo Herrero, Juan José, Lombardo Galera, María Sagrario, Pérez Montilla, María Eugenia, Barranco Acosta, Sara, García-Revillo, José, Font Ugalde, Pilar, Álvarez Benito, Marina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical practice; Female; Humans; Interventional radiology; Male; Middle Aged; Patient care; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Radiology, Interventional - statistics & numerical data; Societies, Medical; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111829

[Display omitted] •Clinical activity in Spanish interventional radiology was evaluated via a survey.•26.5% of members responded to the survey.•62.5% of interventional radiologists spend 0%–10% of their workday on clinical activity.•43.7% of Spanish interventional radiologists provide longitudinal patient care.•The main limitation to playing a proactive clinical role was lack of time/excessive workload. This work aims to provide an overview of the current reality of clinical practice in interventional radiology in Spain, evaluating clinical activity, interventional radiologists’ opinion on the importance of playing a proactive clinical role, and the barriers they encounter in doing so. The study was based on an 18-question survey divided into four categories: general aspects, clinical activity, opinion on a proactive clinical role, and barriers. The questionnaire, validated by the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI), was distributed to all members (n = 483) via email. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The response rate was 26.5% (128/483). A total of 44.5% (57/128) had admitting privileges, 70.3% (90/128) had consultations, 32.8% (42/128) did ward rounds, and 94.5% (121/128) participated in multidisciplinary committees. Most spent just 0%–10% of their workday on clinical activity. A total of 43.7% (56/128) reported providing longitudinal care for their patients. On a Likert scale from 1 to 10, the importance of performing pre-procedural consultations was rated a mean of 8.3 (IQR: 10–8), post-procedural consultations 8.1 (IQR: 10–7), and care during hospitalization 7.7 (IQR: 10–6). The main obstacles were a lack of time/excessive workload and inadequate professional resources. Spanish interventional radiologists demonstrated a clear awareness of the importance of providing longitudinal patient care. However, they reported only partially taking on the clinical responsibilities for the patients they treated.