AIR Pneumo Program upgrading physicians’ skill for reading radiographs of pneumoconioses

Introduction: The Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) program has been established since 2006 with an aim to upgrade skills of specialists in developing countries on the application of the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses and to contribute to the implementation of the ILO/WHO Global Program for Elimination of Silicosis (GPES). This program is the collaboration among Asian countries including Thailand, Japan, China, India, Vietnam and now expanding to South America. With great supports from international experts from ILO and NIOSH, the first workshop was successfully set up in Thailand in 2008. The aim of the presentation is to update the progress of AIR Pneumo.

Methods: The tools AIR Pneumo uses for education are 1) interactive 2 and half days'' course, 2) teaching materials using real chest radiographs, and 3) the 60-film reading examination and certification of proficiency of reading chest radiograph of pneumoconioses. The scoring scheme depends on parameters such as small and large opacity, profusion, and pleural abnormality, which is parallel to NIOSH scoring system. Furthermore, shape differentiation is included to the system. Data analysis from 2 workshops was performed.  

Results: The numbers of participants from 2 workshops held in Thailand and Brazil were 29 and 22, respectively. Most of the participants are radiologists and occupational physicians. The analysis demonstrated that the participants gained proficiency in radiographic assessment in terms of specificity for pneumoconiosis, large opacity, and pleural plaque.  

Discussion: The strong point of the program is that the syllabus, practice films, examination, and certification are well standardized. Furthermore, teaching methodologies including tutors and materials are transparent and accountable. Future direction of AIR Pneumo program is to expand the program to other developing countries not only in Asia but also in other continents such as South America and Africa.