SPOTLIGHT ON AIRP – American Institute for Radiologic Pathology

As part of our series of Industry and Medical Imaging Innovator Spotlights, radRounds had the pleasure of interviewing Carla Brathwaite from the highly acclaimed AIRP – American Institute for Radiologic Pathology, which is a division of the ACR – American College of Radiology about their upcoming radiology training for residents and practicing radiologists.

radRounds: What is AIRP and can you share in a nutshell AIRP’s history?

Ms. Brathwaite: The AIRP, a program of the American College of Radiology (ACR), provides a unique radiology training experience for residents and practicing radiologists. The AIRP four-week Radiologic Pathology Correlation Course offers a comprehensive review of the pathologic basis of the radiologic appearance of disease offered five times per year. The American Institute for Radiologic Pathology, formerly known as the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) was created as a result of the disestablishment of the AFIP in 2010.

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radRounds: How has AIRP changed or not changed since AIRP days at Walter Reed?

Ms. Brathwaite: The AIRP Rad-Path Correlation course is still four weeks long and consists of primarily didactic lectures, but importantly the course is more interactive than previously. The core curriculum remains the same but varies as new rad-path concepts evolve. One visible change is the course venue. At the AFIP, the course was held at the Elias G. Theros Auditorium, which was located on the campus of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Since the course took place on the WRAMC campus, security measures were unsurprisingly stringent. The AIRP Four Week Course is now held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Culture Center, conveniently located in downtown Silver Spring.

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radRounds: What makes AIRP unique?

Ms. Brathwaite: AIRP stands out as the premier program in which radiology residents can focus solely on rad-path correlation. Radiology residents and practicing radiologists are taught how an understanding of the pathologic basis of the imaging appeared can limit our differential diagnosis and improve diagnostic acumen. Limiting the differential diagnoses is extremely beneficial to our clinical colleagues and patients.

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radRounds: In your opinion, where do you see the strengths of the AIRP program?

Ms. Brathwaite: The AIRP faculty has the ability to distill complex information and emphasize the importance of radiologic-pathologic correlation to improve diagnostic confidence, which is vital to guide treatment and optimize patient management.

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radRounds: What is your best advice for attendees of the AIRP programs?

Ms. Brathwaite: Listen to the lectures and learn the content but most importantly, focus on the overall concepts presented at the course. The concepts are much more important than the specific facts about different diseases. The concepts will stay with you forever rather than memorizing particular facts concerning various diseases.

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radRounds: What 2018 AIRP courses would you like to highlight?

Ms. Brathwaite: AIRP® is jumpstarting 2018 with valuable Radiologic Pathology Correlation Categorical Courses, in Silver Spring, MD. All of these courses qualify for CME toward maintaining your medical credentials.

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radRounds: If anyone wants to learn more about AIRP’s offerings, who should they contact?

Ms. Brathwaite: Please feel free to contact me with questions about these courses or other AIRP programs.

Carla Brathwaite

American College of Radiology (ACR)

American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP)

Desk: 703-390-9884

cbrathwaite@acr.org