Diagnostic and interventional radiology interest groups: comparison of members, activities, and funding

PURPOSE: Medical school interest groups (IGs) increase student exposure to medical specialties. The organization of US radiology IGs (RIGs), particularly the representation of diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology, is not well described. This study aimed to determine RIG members, activities, and funding, and to compare diagnostic and interventional RIGs. METHODS: A 28-question survey was sent to RIG leaders at 154 medical schools, addressing the number and demographics of RIG members, activities organized, and funding amounts and allocations. Descriptive statistics and comparisons between diagnostic, interventional, and hybrid RIGs were performed. RESULTS: = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The findings show that diagnostic, interventional, and hybrid RIGs differ in membership and funding. Greater funding is correlated with larger membership, stronger reported influence on specialty choice, and roughly equal membership between men and women. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Boosting RIG funding may enhance recruitment into radiology. RIGs provide students with opportunities to explore radiology as a career, with career panels being the most commonly organized activity.