Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheung CHL(1), Cheng LF(1), Wong HL(1), Chan YCE(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kowloon West Cluster, (2)Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Margaret Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Interventional radiology clinic
Keyword 2: :
Uterine artery embolization
Introduction :
Interventional radiology (IR) has increasingly adopted a patient-centred clinical model that extends beyond procedural care. Dedicated interventional radiology outpatient clinics (IR clinics) have been shown to improve patient satisfaction, safety, and continuity of care across a range of IR procedures. Uterine artery embolization (UAE), which requires detailed counselling regarding indications, risks, alternatives, and recovery, provides an ideal pilot procedure to evaluate the clinical value of an IR-led outpatient clinic.
Objectives :
To assess patient perceptions of an IR-led pre-procedural outpatient clinic prior to UAE, and to explore its potential role as a scalable model for other interventional radiology procedures.
Methodology :
A structured questionnaire consisting of seven statements was administered to patients following attendance at a pre-procedural IR outpatient clinic prior to UAE. Responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Questionnaire domains included understanding of procedural steps and risks, alleviation of concerns, assistance in decision-making, adequacy of consultation time, perceived usefulness of the clinic, and overall satisfaction. Responses from 18 consecutive patients were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Result & Outcome :
Patient feedback was consistently positive across all domains. Mean Likert scores (out of 5) demonstrated improved understanding of procedural steps (4.72) and risks (4.78), effective alleviation of concerns (4.56), and support in decision-making (4.39). Patients reported adequate time to ask questions (4.78) and perceived the clinic as providing additional benefit (4.72). Overall satisfaction achieved the highest mean score (4.89). An interventional radiology pre-procedural outpatient clinic was associated with high patient satisfaction and improved perceived understanding among patients undergoing UAE. Using UAE as a pilot procedure, this study supports the feasibility and value of IR-led outpatient clinics as a patient-centred model that may be extended to other elective and ambulatory IR procedures. Wider adoption of IR clinics may enhance informed consent, continuity of care, and the evolving clinical role of interventional radiology.
