Prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B serostatus disclosure among adults receiving care at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional stud

Interventional radiology (IR) is a specialized subspecialty of radiology that performs percutaneous or intravascular procedures using various imaging modalities and provides minimally invasive alternatives to conventional surgical interventions. These procedures serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and are generally associated with lower complication rates and shorter recovery times. Interventional radiology provides care for a broad spectrum of patients, ranging from pediatric to geriatric populations, from outpatients to critically ill intensive care patients, and from individuals with infections to those undergoing chemotherapy [–]. Since its emergence in the 1960s, the scope and diversity of IR procedures have expanded considerably [, ]. Today, a wide variety of procedures, including vascular interventions, oncologic treatments, drainage procedures, biopsies, and embolization therapies, are performed by interventional radiologists. However, with the increasing importance of endovascular and minimally invasive procedures, image-guided interventions are now performed not only by radiologists but also by specialists from various disciplines, including cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, and anesthesiology and reanimation. Family physicians (FPs) play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive and continuous care and serve as the first point of contact within the healthcare system, particularly in Türkiye []. In primary care, FPs are expected to develop continuous partnerships with their patients, address individual health needs, consider the family and community context, and remain easily accessible to patients []. Within this framework, FPs are often the first physicians consulted by patients and play a critical role in referring patients to hospitals and specialized departments, as well as presenting potential treatment options. Therefore, it is crucial for FPs to have sufficient knowledge of IR and the various alternative treatment modalities available for different disease processes to ensure optimal patient management []. A study conducted in Canada in 2010 involving 213 family physicians found that 53% of participants considered their knowledge adequate, 98% were aware that interventional radiologists perform image-guided biopsies, and approximately 71% referred patients directly to interventional radiologists []. In a more recent study conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2023 with 197 participants, only 28.4% were found to have a generally good level of knowledge regarding IR []. Although limited, existing literature suggests that family physicians may have insufficient awareness of IR. Given the rapid advancements and increasing utilization of IR, FPs are integral in educating patients and directing them to appropriate specialists [].