The scope of interventional radiology training for South African radiology registrars

Abstract

Background: Interventional radiology (IR) is an important component of radiology practice in South Africa (SA). However, there is no standard national IR curriculum. Little is known about IR teaching across SA’s nine medical schools, of which six offer a 4-year and three offer a 5-year postgraduate radiology training programme. The study assessed procedural performance scope among SA postgraduate radiology trainees across key IR procedures.
Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated candidates who completed SA postgraduate radiology training and sat the final FC Rad Diag(SA) examination (2020–2024). Respondents reported practical performance across 14 image-guided procedures (ultrasound [US] = 4; US + fluoroscopy [US + F] = 5; computed tomography (CT) = 3; fluoroscopy with digital subtraction angiography [F + DSA] = 2). Descriptive statistics were generated overall, by modality and by training period.
Results: A total of 38 candidates responded. Four (11%) performed all, and one (3%) just two procedures. Experience varied widely (average eight procedures); 47% (n = 18) performed ≤ 7. Overall performance rates by modality were: US-guided 91%, US + F 49%, CT-guided 41%, and F + DSA 41%. The 4-year (n = 17; mean = 7) and 5-year programmes (n = 21; mean = 9) afforded similar rates for US-guided procedures (90% vs. 92%). In contrast, 5-year programmes showed higher rates for US + F (62% vs. 34%), CT-guided (57% vs. 22%), and F + DSA (45% vs. 35%).
Conclusion: The marked disparity in exposure to IR procedures among SA general radiology trainees underscores the need for standardised IR training.
Contribution: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to document the procedural scope of IR training in SA. As such, it provides unique insights that can inform curriculum development and workplace-based assessments across the radiology teaching platform.