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

Abstract

Purpose: 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.

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

Keywords: Clinical practice; Interventional radiology; Patient care.