Background: Interventional radiology (IR) is a comprehensive specialty that covers a wide variety of image guided minimally
invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Although IR is constantly growing, many people are misinformed regarding the
responsibilities of IRs in clinical settings. This study aimed to see the awareness and knowledge among clinical year’s medical
students at Tabuk University regarding interventional radiology. Methodology: A cross sectional, self-administered questionnaire
study. Our target population was the clinical year’s medical students at Tabuk university Ethical approval was obtained from the
ethical committees of the University of Tabuk. Results: More than half of the participants said that they have an adequate and good
knowledge about IR. And (53%) did not think that interventional radiologists have outpatient clinics or even do ward rounds in the
hospital (51%). Also, 70% did not believe that they treat patients at all. And 55% believed that interventional radiologists must
finish training in Surgery and Radiology, while 30% only correctly identified radiology as a method of training. Regarding the
procedures done by interventional radiologists they were familiar to the majority of the participants. Conclusion: The results of this
study suggest that the awareness of IR among senior medical students in Tabuk and Saudi Arabia are higher than other countries.
However, there are still low career considerations for IR due to lack of interest. This can be addressed by increasing the IR exposure
in medical school through improving the curriculum related to IR increasing IR trainings.
Keywords: Interventional Radiology, Awareness, medical students,
Knowledge, Tabuk