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Objective: To provide evidence-based guidelines regarding the appropriate use of gastrointestinal stents for oncologic indications. This document describes the use of gastrointestinal stents by appropriately trained physicians., Methods: This document is based on a review of the published evidence and supplemented by consensus expert opinion. Gastrointestinal stenting has been evaluated in terms of technical success, complications, patient satisfaction, clinical outcome, and cost-benefit analysis. This document was approved by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association; approval from the other relevant Canadian societies is pending., Conclusion: Gastrointestinal stenting has a valuable role in the management of gastrointestinal malignancy. The decision to use such devices should be taken after comprehensive multidisciplinary clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the demographics and practices of radiologists nationwide as indicated by a selected subset of results from the 2004 National Physician Survey., Methods: The original email survey data were collected by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Data collected included information regarding physician demographics and research, teaching, and practice characteristics., Results: A total of 646 radiologists responded (of an estimated 1910), giving a response rate of 33.8%. The greatest number of respondents worked either in a community hospital (59.4%) or in a private practice (50%). Most preferred working within a group (78.8%). Most respondents spent up to 120 hours monthly on call (69.1%). On average, respondents spent nearly 41 weeks yearly on clinical care, administration, teaching, continuing medical education, and research. Most respondents (75.9%) obtained their income through fee-for-service payment plans., Conclusions: The fundamental characteristics of Canadian radiologists currently in practice are described, and their implications for the future of radiology in Canada are discussed.

Objective: To determine the level of clinical responsibility interventional radiologists in Canada currently have within their practice and would like to have within their future practices., Methods: An anonymous online survey was e-mailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association. The survey was open for a period of 2 months., Results: A total of 75 surveys were received, of a possible 247, a response rate of 30.4%. Responses regarding general measures of clinical duties were collected. The current situation in Canada is mixed, in that while most (82%) respondents perform procedures that require an overnight admission, only 11% have a dedicated interventional radiology (IR) ward and 29% have admitting privileges. Most (73%) respondents stated that interventional radiologists in Canada should become more clinical. The most common reason cited for a lack of admitting privileges was a lack of time (44%), followed by a lack of hospital or administrative support (40%), "other" (20%), and inadequate remuneration (14%)., Conclusions: Most respondents believe that interventional radiologists should become more clinically oriented. The most frequently noted obstacles to becoming more clinically oriented are reluctant administration, lack of time, and inadequate remuneration for clinical duties.