Introduction:
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a rapidly evolving specialty offering minimally invasive, image-guided treatments across a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Within vascular IR (VIR), demand is rising, yet research activity remains fragmented and underfunded. There is currently no coordinated strategy to determine which research questions are most important, feasible, and impactful. The DEFINE-IR study aims to identify and prioritise the most critical research topics in VIR to guide researchers, funders, and policy stakeholders.
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Methods and analysis:
INSPIRE-VIR will use a two-phase, mixed-methods design: a modified Delphi process followed by multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). In the Delphi phase, participants from across the UK IR community will generate and refine a longlist of potential research priorities through three survey rounds. The highest-ranked 20 topics will then be evaluated at a national in-person MCDA workshop, where they will be scored on urgency, feasibility, and affordability using predefined criteria. Radar plots and sensitivity analyses will be used to visualise deliverability and rank topics.
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Results:
INSPIRE-VIR will produce a stakeholder-endorsed, ranked shortlist of the top 20 research priorities in VIR. These will be assessed not only by perceived importance but also by their real-world deliverability. This evidence-based roadmap will support national research strategy, guide funding decisions, and inform future studies focused on areas of greatest need and potential benefit.
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Ethics and dissemination:
Ethical approval will be sought from the University of Plymouth. As no patient-level data are collected, full REC review is not anticipated. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed open access journal, presented at national and international conferences (e.g., BSIR and CIRSE), and submitted to BSIR, RCR, and NIHR as a formal report. A lay summary and infographic will be produced and shared through social media, patient networks, and the project website. Knowledge mobilisation activities will include webinars, stakeholder briefings, and integration into BSIR’s research, audit, and education programmes.