Longitudinal investigation of undergraduates' radiation anxiety, interest, and career intention in interventional radiology

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the school curriculum and on-site observation of interventional radiology (IR) operations in clinics on undergraduates' radiation anxiety, interest, and career intention.

Methods: Between the academic years 2021 and 2023, all of the fourth-year undergraduates were surveyed by questionnaires, which covered their pre-curriculum, post-curriculum in-school, and post-on-site view of IR surgeries in clinic. The survey included categories of gender, fear of X-ray and IR operation, interest in IR surgery, and career-pursuing intention.

Results: A total of 333 (91.0%) respondents (111 students for three times) were included in analyses. The fear of X-ray and radiation exposure during IR procedures was reduced after taking school courses (p < 0.001), and it was further decreased after on-site viewing (p < 0.001). The association values among the three groups were 33.8% and 41.9%, respectively. The interest in IR was improved both after applying for the curriculum and after clinical exposure to IR surgery (p < 0.001). In addition, 4 (3.6%) and 12 (10.8%) students showed a sense of achievement after taking courses and on-site viewing, respectively. The association value was 49.4%. Regarding career intention, it was both significantly increased after taking courses and on-site observation (p < 0.001). Besides, 8 (7.2%), 17 (15.3%), and 36 (32.4%) students in the three groups considered IR as the preferred career choice, respectively.

Conclusions: Applying for IR curriculum could reduce undergraduates' radiation anxiety, and activate their professional interest and career pursuing intention. Clinical exposure to IR surgeries further boosted this effect.

Clinical relevance statement: Educational interventions of curriculum and on-site view of IR surgery improve the undergraduates' interest in IR and stimulate their career intention, which is crucial for the advancement of IR.

Key points: Increasing interest in interventional radiology (IR) as a career is urgent, given rising demand of services. Education and on-site viewing of IR surgery reduced radiation anxiety and increased interest in IR. Early exposure to IR is effective at encouraging undergraduates to consider IR as their career.

Keywords: Career intention; Clinical exposure; Interventional radiology; Professional interest; Radiation anxiety.

Fig. 1

The flowchart of participants recruitment. A total of 111 students with their questionnaires eligible for analyses

Fig. 2

Changes in undergraduates’ radiation anxiety, perception of IR operation, and career pursuing intention. A The fear degree of X-ray pre- and post-applying for curriculum, and after on-site viewing of IR operations. The difference was significant (p < 0.001). B The fear degree of radiation exposure during IR surgery procedures (p < 0.001). C The perception of IR before and after applying for curriculum, and after on-site viewing of IR operations (p < 0.001). D The change of career pursuing intention pre- and post-applying for curriculum, and after on-site viewing of IR operations (p < 0.001). IR, interventional radiology

Fig. 3

Changes in radiation anxiety, perception of interventional radiology (IR) operations, and career pursuit intentions among male and female undergraduates. A–D Improvement in the attitudes of male undergraduates towards radiation anxiety, IR profession, and career pursuit intentions. E–H Changes in the attitudes of female undergraduates towards radiation anxiety, IR profession, and career pursuit intentions. IR, interventional radiology

Fig. 4

Correlation between the changes in undergraduates’ attitude and the intervention of curriculum or on-site view of IR surgeries. A Group comparation of the undergraduates’ anxiety to X-ray before and after applying for curriculum, and after on-site viewing of IR operations. The association value was 33.8%. B Group comparation of the undergraduates’ fear to IR operation. The association value was 41.9%. C Group comparation of the undergraduates’ perception of IR operation. The association value was 49.4%. D Group comparation of the career pursuing intention. The association value was 26.3%. Note: The distinct capital on the bar graph (different group) indicated the difference was significant. For example, the difference in the sense of achievement was significant in the post-on-site view group compared with the pre-curriculum group (A vs B). However, it was not significant compared the pre-curriculum group to the post-curriculum group (A vs A, B). In addition, the association value refers to the strength of the relationship between educational interventions and changes in attitudes. A larger value indicates a closer relevance between changes in undergraduates’ attitudes and educational interventions in curriculum and on-site view