The clinical interventional radiologist: results of a national survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of clinical responsibility interventional radiologists in Canada currently have within their practice and would like to have within their future practices. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was e-mailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association. The survey was open for a period of 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 75 surveys were received, of a possible 247, a response rate of 30.4%. Responses regarding general measures of clinical duties were collected. The current situation in Canada is mixed, in that while most (82%) respondents perform procedures that require an overnight admission, only 11% have a dedicated interventional radiology (IR) ward and 29% have admitting privileges. Most (73%) respondents stated that interventional radiologists in Canada should become more clinical. The most common reason cited for a lack of admitting privileges was a lack of time (44%), followed by a lack of hospital or administrative support (40%), "other" (20%), and inadequate remuneration (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents believe that interventional radiologists should become more clinically oriented. The most frequently noted obstacles to becoming more clinically oriented are reluctant administration, lack of time, and inadequate remuneration for clinical duties.