Essential Questions for DO Graduates Pursuing Interventional Radiology Residency

Why Your Questions Matter as a DO Applicant in Interventional Radiology

As a DO graduate pursuing an interventional radiology residency, the questions you ask programs are not just a formality; they are one of your most powerful tools in the IR match. Good questions demonstrate that you understand the specialty, that you’ve researched the program, and that you’re thinking like a future interventional radiologist—not just an applicant trying to secure any position.

For osteopathic applicants, there’s an additional layer: you may be wondering how DO-friendly a program is, how previous DO graduates have fared, and whether there is support for your unique training background. Thoughtful, targeted questions to ask residency programs can give you clear answers while subtly showcasing your maturity, insight, and fit.

This guide will walk you through what to ask program directors, faculty, and residents, with specific examples tailored to a DO graduate applying to interventional radiology residency (both integrated and independent pathways).

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Core Strategy: How to Structure Your Questions

Before diving into specific question lists, it helps to understand your overall strategy. Every question you ask in an interventional radiology residency interview should ideally:

1. Reveal meaningful information about the program that helps you build your rank list.
2. Highlight something about you—your priorities, values, and understanding of IR.
3. Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework about the program and the specialty.

Think of questions as mini “signals” you’re sending:

• “I care about case mix and procedural independence” → shows you understand IR training.
• “I’m asking about DO graduates and board performance” → shows you’re reflective and outcome-oriented.
• “I’m interested in longitudinal patient care and clinic structure” → shows you value continuity and not just procedural volume.

A practical way to prepare:

• Create a 1-page “question bank” grouped by Program Director, Faculty, Residents, and Coordinator.
• Underline 3–5 “must ask” questions for each group.
• Customize a few questions for each specific program (based on their website, case mix, research, or reputation).

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High-Impact Questions for Program Directors

When thinking about what to ask program director leaders in interventional radiology, aim for strategic, big-picture topics: training philosophy, case volumes, fellow autonomy, and outcomes. For a DO graduate residency applicant, you’ll also want to clarify how previous DOs have been supported and how the program views osteopathic training.

1. Questions About Program Philosophy and Training Structure

These questions show you’re thinking like a future independent IR physician.

• “How would you describe the overall training philosophy of your interventional radiology residency—especially in terms of balancing diagnostic radiology training with procedural independence?”

• “How do you see the role of the interventional radiologist evolving over the next 5–10 years, and how is your program adjusting its curriculum to match those changes?”

• “For the integrated IR pathway here, how early do residents get into the IR suite, and how does that progressive responsibility look from PGY-2 through PGY-6?”

Why these work: They signal that you care about long-term career readiness and are aware that IR is not just about doing procedures—it’s about imaging, clinical care, and system-level thinking.

2. Questions About DO-Friendliness and Osteopathic Background

As a DO graduate, you should feel entirely comfortable asking about this. It’s a crucial component in deciding where to train.

• “How has your program historically supported DO graduates, and can you share how recent DO residents have done in terms of board exams, fellowships, or first jobs?”

• “Are there any differences in how you approach onboarding or early training for DO graduates, given our varied clinical and osteopathic backgrounds?”

• “Can you share examples of DO residents in your program who have taken on leadership roles, research, or presented at conferences?”

What you’re listening for:

• Whether DOs are present among current or recent residents.
• Whether the PD talks about DO graduates with the same confidence and pride as MDs.
• Whether there’s any hesitation, vague answers, or deflection.

If the program has few or no DOs, a follow-up might be:

• “As a DO applicant, I’m curious how you think my osteopathic training can add value to your resident cohort and the program overall.”

This reframes your DO degree as an asset rather than a deficit.

3. Questions About Case Volume, Autonomy, and Procedural Mix

Interventional radiology residency is defined by hands-on experience. Your IR match decisions should heavily weigh what kinds of procedures you’ll actually perform.

• “What does your typical IR case mix look like in terms of embolization, oncology interventions, venous work, trauma, PAD, and dialysis access?”

• “By the time residents graduate, about how many major cases do they log, and in what categories do they tend to have the greatest depth?”

• “How is procedural autonomy graded—at what level are residents lead operators versus first assists, especially in complex interventional oncology or vascular cases?”

• “Are there specific rotations or sites where residents get high exposure to advanced procedures like TIPS, Y-90, complex venous recanalization, or advanced limb salvage work?”

You can then connect this back to your interests, for example:

• “I’m especially interested in interventional oncology and complex venous disease—how would your program allow me to develop depth in those areas?”

4. Questions to Ask About Outcomes, Jobs, and Fellowships

These questions show you’re already thinking ahead to life after training.

• “Where have your recent graduates gone—are they primarily entering private practice, academic positions, or hybrid practices?”

• “For residents who wanted specific geographic regions or types of practice, how successful have they been in landing those positions?”

• “What support do you provide for job search or fellowship applications (for those doing independent IR) in terms of letters, networking, or introductions?”

• “How do your residents typically perform on their ABR Core Exam, IR/DR Certifying Exam, and other board milestones?”

For a DO graduate, this also helps you compare how well programs support all residents, regardless of degree.

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Targeted Questions for Faculty Interviewers

Faculty interviews are your chance to get granular about daily life in the IR suite, educational style, and your potential mentorship environment. These are the people you’d be learning from at the table.

1. Questions About Teaching Style and Feedback

• “How do you typically structure teaching in the IR suite—do you prefer pre-case planning, real-time teaching, or post-case debriefs?”

• “What does feedback look like here? How often do residents receive formal and informal feedback on their procedural skills and clinical decision-making?”

You can then reflect your learning style:

• “I learn best from clear, actionable feedback after cases—how does your team handle that in a busy day?”

2. Questions About Clinical Responsibilities and Longitudinal Care

A distinguishing feature of strong interventional radiology residency programs is robust clinical continuity, not just “drive-by” procedures.

• “How is IR clinic structured here—how often are residents in clinic, and what level of responsibility do they have in longitudinal care?”

• “How integrated is IR with other specialties clinically—do you co-manage patients with vascular surgery, oncology, hepatology, or are you more consult-based?”

• “Are there opportunities for residents to follow complex patients across the continuum—from consultation to procedure to follow-up?”

Faculty answers will reveal how “clinical” the IR role truly is in that institution—a critical factor if you want a modern, patient-centered IR career.

3. Questions About Program Culture and Collaboration

• “How would you describe the relationship between IR and diagnostic radiology at this institution—collaborative, independent, or blended?”

• “What do you think differentiates your IR program from others in the region or nationally?”

• “From your perspective as faculty, what qualities make a resident particularly successful in this program?”

This last question is powerful. You can respond by briefly connecting your prior experiences and DO training to those qualities.

4. Questions About Research and Niche Development

If you’re interested in research, innovation, or academic IR, show it:

• “What current research projects or quality improvement initiatives are IR faculty most excited about here?”

• “How easy is it for a resident to get involved in ongoing projects or to start a new study, especially if they’re new to research?”

• “Do your residents regularly present at SIR or other national meetings, and what kind of institutional support (funding, time off) is available for that?”

For a DO graduate, this is also a subtle way to demonstrate that you are academically oriented and fully engaged in evidence-based medicine.

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Candid Questions for Current Residents and Fellows

Residents are your best source of honest information. They know what the call really feels like, how supportive the attendings are, and whether the program is truly DO-friendly beyond the official line.

1. Day-to-Day Reality and Workload

• “Can you walk me through a typical day on IR as a PGY-2, 3, and then as a senior IR resident?”

• “How manageable is the call schedule in terms of frequency, case intensity, and backup support?”

• “What’s the culture like when you’re on call—are attendings approachable, and do you feel supported when handling complex overnight emergencies?”

• “Do you feel you have enough time for reading, case preparation, and life outside the hospital most weeks?”

What you’re watching for:

• Hesitation when describing hours or call.
• Signs of chronic burnout or resentment.
• Genuine enthusiasm vs. rehearsed positivity.

2. Procedural Opportunities and Autonomy

• “By the time you’re a senior resident, how comfortable do you feel independently managing common IR procedures like TACE, TIPS, thrombectomies, and complex embolizations?”

• “Do you ever feel like you’re competing with fellows, APPs, or other learners for cases?”

• “Have you ever felt you needed more volume or experience in a specific area, and if so, how did the program respond?”

The IR match is competitive enough that you shouldn’t settle for programs where residents chronically feel underexposed to key procedures.

3. DO Experience and Program Inclusivity

As a DO graduate residency candidate, you want resident-level insight into how DOs fare.

• “As far as you’re aware, how have DO residents done in this program in terms of exam performance, leadership, and post-graduation jobs?”

• “Have you ever noticed any difference in how DO and MD residents are treated or perceived—by faculty, other residents, or other departments?”

• “Do you know if any DO residents here have sometimes felt they had to ‘prove themselves’ more, or has it generally been equal from the start?”

You’re not looking for perfection—you’re looking for honesty and a supportive environment.

4. Wellness, Support, and Fit

• “Have there been residents who struggled here? How did the program respond when someone was having a tough time academically, clinically, or personally?”

• “What do you wish you had known about this program before you ranked it?”

• “Knowing what you know now, would you choose this program again for interventional radiology?”

This final question is one of the most revealing in the entire interview process.

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Practical Tips: How to Use Your Questions Strategically as a DO Applicant

Knowing which interview questions for them to ask is only half the battle. How you deploy them during the osteopathic residency match process matters just as much.

1. Organize Questions by Interviewer Type

Create a simple grid in your notes with columns:

• Program Director / APD
• IR Faculty
• DR Faculty (if applicable)
• Residents/Fellows
• Program Coordinator

Under each, list 5–8 questions. For example:

Program Director:

• Training philosophy
• DO graduate outcomes
• Case volume and logs
• Graduate jobs/fellowships
• Response to struggling residents

Residents:

• Daily schedule and call
• Autonomy and competition for cases
• DO experience on the ground
• Wellness and culture
• Would they choose it again?

2. Customize for Interventional Radiology-Specific Details

When you research each program, try to find 1–2 IR-specific features you can reference:

• A strong interventional oncology focus.
• A partnership with vascular surgery or transplant.
• An emphasis on PAD and limb salvage.
• A large trauma center or transplant program.

Then ask:

• “I noticed you have a major liver transplant program here. How does that impact IR exposure to TIPS and portal venous interventions for residents?”

This shows you’re not asking generic questions to every program.

3. Don’t Forget the Program Coordinator

Program coordinators are often underutilized as sources of information, yet they know the logistics better than anyone.

You might ask:

• “How does the program support residents during major life events—illness, family emergencies, parental leave?”
• “What are typical moonlighting policies and how do residents use them here?”
• “How many residents have you seen through from intern year to graduation, and what do you think distinguishes the most successful ones?”

Their perspective often confirms or challenges what you’ve heard elsewhere.

4. Balance Depth With Brevity

You won’t be able to ask everything on your list. Prioritize:

• 2–3 “must ask” questions per interviewer.
• 1–2 “program-specific” questions that show you did your homework.
• 1 “closing” question such as:
  • “Is there anything you wish applicants better understood about your IR program?”

Also, don’t stack multiple questions into one long paragraph. That makes it hard for interviewers to answer clearly and may come across as unfocused.

5. Use Questions to Subtly Market Yourself

The best questions to ask residency program leaders also reflect your strengths. For example:

• If you have strong clinical skills from osteopathic rotations:

  • “As a DO graduate with a lot of hands-on patient care experience, I’m very interested in longitudinal IR clinic. How early do residents get involved in managing their own panel of follow-up patients?”

• If you have prior research:

  • “I’ve been involved in outcomes research for PAD and am interested in continuing scholarly work. Are there faculty particularly active in PAD/QI projects that residents can work with?”

This turns a simple question into a short, relevant “highlight reel” of who you are.

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Sample Question Bank for DO Applicants in Interventional Radiology

To make this more practical, here’s a condensed sample list you can adapt. Mix and match based on your priorities.

For Program Directors

• “How would you describe your program’s philosophy in balancing DR and IR training across the integrated years?”
• “How have DO graduates from your program done in terms of board performance and job placement?”
• “What distinguishes your interventional radiology residency from others in terms of case mix and autonomy?”
• “Where have your most recent IR graduates gone after training?”
• “How do you support residents who may be struggling academically or clinically?”

For IR Faculty

• “What does effective resident autonomy look like in your IR suite by the time they’re senior?”
• “How do you structure feedback on both technical and clinical decision-making skills?”
• “How integrated is IR in multidisciplinary tumor boards and complex case conferences?”
• “What research or innovation areas in IR are you most passionate about here?”

For Residents/Fellows

• “What does a typical week look like for you in terms of case load, clinic, and call?”
• “How would you describe the culture between IR and DR residents?”
• “From what you’ve seen, how have DO residents done in this program?”
• “Would you choose this program again for interventional radiology, and why or why not?”

For Coordinators

• “What’s the process like for scheduling vacations and time off—does it tend to work smoothly?”
• “How does the program handle resident wellness and burnout concerns when they arise?”

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FAQ: Common Questions About Asking Programs as a DO IR Applicant

1. As a DO graduate, is it okay to directly ask if a program is DO-friendly?
Yes. You should absolutely clarify this. You might phrase it as:

• “I’m a DO graduate and I want to make sure I’m in an environment that fully supports osteopathic trainees. How has your program historically supported DO residents, and how have they done here?” The answer—and the tone—will tell you a lot.

2. How many questions should I ask in each interview session?
Aim for:

• 2–3 high-yield questions per 20–30 minute interview.
• A few extra in case your interviewer finishes early or invites more questions. Avoid rapid-fire questioning; prioritize quality and depth over quantity.

3. Should I ask the same questions at every program?
Some questions—like case volume, autonomy, and graduate outcomes—will appear at most programs. But always:

• Customize at least 1–2 questions per program based on their website, case mix, or structure.
• Vary your questions between interviewers so you’re not repeating the same script.

4. Can I ask about competitiveness of the IR match or my chances directly?
Avoid asking, “What are my chances of matching here?” Instead, you can ask:

• “What qualities do you look for in applicants who are the best fit for this interventional radiology residency?”
• “Is there anything else I can clarify about my background that would be helpful for your evaluation?” This keeps the conversation professional while giving you insight into their priorities.

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By preparing thoughtful, targeted questions to ask residency programs, you transform your IR interviews from passive Q&A sessions into strategic conversations. As a DO graduate aiming for interventional radiology, the right questions will help you assess fit, demonstrate your insight, and ultimately build a rank list that leads to the training—and career—you want.