Evaluating Pre-clinical Medical Students’ Interest and Perceptions of Radiology: A Survey Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Despite its increasing role in modern medicine, radiology remains underrepresented in undergraduate medical education. This lack of exposure contributes to misconceptions and decreased student interest in the field. Radiology Interest Groups (RIGs) represent a valuable tool to positively influence student perceptions and foster interest in radiology. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the immediate impact of a RIG event on pre-clinical medical students’ perceptions of and interest in radiology. METHODS Medical students at a single U.S. medical school attended a RIG-hosted Radiology Information Session led by a board-certified radiologist. Participants completed identical pre- and post-event surveys composed of five-point Likert scale questions to assess perceptions of and interest in radiology. Paired samples t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze changes in scores and assess the influence of gender, class year, and prior exposure to radiology. RESULTS Nineteen students completed the pre-event survey, and twelve completed the post-event survey. Composite scores showed statistically significant improvements in both interest (p=0.048) and perceptions (p<0.001) of radiology after the event. Students reported significantly enhanced understanding of radiology’s role in healthcare, improved perceptions of radiologists’ job satisfaction and communication skills, and increased awareness of patient contact and flexible work options. Misconceptions regarding monotony, radiation exposure, and AI replacement decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Radiology Interest Groups, when supported by practicing radiologists, offer a promising avenue for mentorship, specialty awareness, and radiology education. Our findings support the importance of early, structured exposure to radiology in the pre-clinical years.