Interventional Radiology
In 2012 the American Board of Medical Specialties approved interventional radiology (IR), also known as vascular and interventional radiology or surgical radiology, as the fourth primary medical specialty of the American Board of Radiology. A past president of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) describes "the elevation of IR to a 'specialty' level with its own distinct residency programs places IR/DR on the same level as surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine in the ABMS hierarchy." It has been designated as a unique and separate area of medicine while maintaining "its intimate and necessary relation to diagnostic radiology."
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Key Facts
Core Focus: Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures
Number of Physicians: Small (~1,500)
Training Length: 6 years integrated residency (or DR + fellowship)
Subspecialties: Oncology IR, neurointervention, vascular access
Job Progression: Procedure center leadership, hybrid team specialist
Gender Distribution: 15% female, 85% male
Job Outlook: Growing
Work Environment: Hospitals, radiology centers, hybrid ORs
Patient Relationship: Procedure-focused, short-term
Schedule: Mix of elective and emergent procedures
Common Procedures: Angiography, embolization, image-guided interventions
Residency Length: 6 years
Fellowship Required: No
Average Annual Income: ~$573,000
Average Weekly Hours: 55 hours/week
Burnout Percentage: 52%
Match Competitiveness: High
Common Work Settings: Hospitals, interventional suites
❤️ Values and Personality Comparison
Interventional Radiology Top Values
- Creativity
- Decision making
- Good income
- Working with my hands
- Working with my mind
Interventional Radiology Do Not Value
- Achievement
- Feedback from others
- Security
🧠 Interventional Radiology Personality Traits
- Look for possibilities
- Have manual dexterity
- Adapt to changes easily
- Like complex problem solving
- Become bored with repetitive activity
- Need to see tangible results of their efforts quickly
- Be adventurous / like challenges
- Identify with role models
- Be comfortable with short-term patient relationships
- Deal with problems straightforwardly with direct action
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