Medical Student Challenges in the Wake of Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency: A Review

Interventional radiology is a new medical specialty that recently created an integrated residency. This study serves a comprehensive review of literature discussing the challenges that medical students encounter in light of this new pathway, with a specific emphasis on the virtual application process. An analysis of 24 articles revealed that exposure to interventional radiology in medical school is lacking, with a limited pool of diverse mentors in the field. Moreover, medical school advising to students applying to interventional radiology may be inadequate. Although initiatives have been successful in increasing exposure, and there is encouraging data on diversity in the field at the trainee level since the start of the integrated residency, addressing the needs of medical students and focusing on the gaps in mentorship, advising, and curriculum is crucial for the success of applicants and overall specialty recruitment. The virtual process has provided on average $6008 of savings for applicants.