AIRP: An Invaluable Resource for ACR Members

This article is part of a special Focus on Education. To learn more about the series, start with Reimaging ACR Education in the 21st Century.

The evolution of the ACR Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP®) is rooted in the history of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). Established during the Civil War as the U.S. Army Medical Museum, the AFIP became a pathology and radiologic-pathologic correlation leader. The AFIP’s radiologic pathology correlation course, known as the “rad-path” course, was a cornerstone of radiology education for decades.

In 2011, following the U.S. Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure provisions, the AFIP was disbanded, and ACR took over the radiologic-pathologic correlation course, ensuring its continuation as the AIRP and resulting in over 15,000 learners for the four-week course. The AIRP has since built on this legacy, providing high-quality education to radiologists worldwide.

An Engaging Learning Environment

Participants consistently praise the AIRP’s effective learning environment. According to Andrew Mezher, MD, a diagnostic and interventional radiology resident at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, “The opportunity to engage with the faculty and meet residents from several states and countries informed my learning beyond what an online experience could have achieved.”

Christopher M. Knaus, MD , a radiologist with Kaiser Permanente who participated in the AIRP’s musculoskeletal (MSK) categorical course, echoes Mezher’s praise: “I was able to interpret over 200 MRIs of large and small joints between the two courses. Cross-referencing my findings with the reports allowed me to gain what felt like a year’s worth of experience in just a few days. This greatly increased my comfort and confidence with MSK MRI and made me a faster radiologist. It was invaluable when I think about how much it improved the quality and efficiency of my work.”

Jamie Marko, MD, genitourinary section chief and associate physician-in-chief of AIRP, attributes a lot of the AIRP’s success to its case submissions. “The AIRP is fortunate to receive many excellent case submissions from talented residents each year,” Marko says. “Access to these cases submitted from across the globe ensures that the lectures are regularly updated with high-quality examples of the key disease processes.”

Diverse Course Options

AIRP offers a variety of courses, including a four-week intensive course for radiology residents focused on radiologic-pathologic correlation; two-to-four-day specialized categorical courses covering specific subspecialties (cardiothoracic, neuroradiology, MSK, breast, pediatrics, and abdominal imaging) for practicing radiologists; and fellowships providing advanced training in MSK and abdominal imaging.

AIRP courses also boast flexible learning formats. The online courses, developed in 2020, combine the convenience of a virtual format with the high-quality content and instructors of the AIRP’s long-standing in-person courses. This online education features interactive modules, case studies and self-assessment tools, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience. Live webinars and online discussions foster interaction with faculty and fellow participants. The in-person courses provide robust networking opportunities with faculty and fellow learners and firsthand experience at state-of-the-art facilities. The AIRP is also exploring hybrid models that combine in-person and online learning to offer even greater flexibility and accessibility.

International Outreach and Collaboration

The AIRP is committed to advancing radiologic-pathologic correlation worldwide through a variety of international initiatives and collaborations. In addition to offering education to practicing radiologists and radiology residents and fellows in the U.S., the AIRP actively collaborates with international radiology societies and organizations to promote global radiologic-pathologic correlation education and research. These partnerships facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

According to Elif Merve Bal, MD, resident physician at Karadeniz Technical University’s radiology department in Türkiye, who participated in the October 2024 course, “This was the most effective and interactive course I have ever attended. I consider myself very fortunate to have been given this chance, and I want to take other courses.”

AIRP faculty travel to institutions around the globe to conduct condensed courses and workshops, sharing their expertise and fostering educational collaboration worldwide. The Visiting Observer Training Program welcomes international medical graduates to the AIRP for observation and training, providing valuable insights into American radiology practices and fostering professional development.

Enhanced Engagement and Accountability

With the beginning of a new academic year, the AIRP has renewed its focus on learner engagement and accountability. The virtual radiologic-pathology correlation course now combines live, interactive sessions with pre-recorded, self-paced lectures. Audience response questions facilitate engagement and real-time understanding and assessment, allowing faculty to adjust their pace to match learners’ needs. Residency program directors and coordinators can view residents’ progress in real-time, supporting and facilitating the educational value of this important material.

The AIRP is a testament to ACR’s investment in its members’ professional development by empowering radiologists to excel in their profession and deliver outstanding patient care by providing unparalleled educational opportunities.

By Donald E. Hatley, Jr., MCNPM, senior director of education at AIRP