Quality assurance in reading radiographs for pneumoconiosis: AIR Pneumo program

Abstract

Occupational exposures to various dusts are widespread and pneumoconiosis represents one of the major occupational lung diseases worldwide. Chest radiography is extensively used in the screening for pneumoconiosis in dustexposed workers. However, recognition of early pneumoconiosis in a chest radiograph is difficult and interpretation is different among physicians. To achieve uniformity in interpretation, the International Labour Office has developed a standardized system for reading chest radiographs for the presence of pneumoconiosis (ILO Classification system) [1]. Despite the introduction of this classification system, inconsistency between readings exists among physicians as well as an individual physician. To improve consistency in readings and to Background ASEAN Movement in Radiology

Inter-observer agreement and accuracy in classifying radiographs for pneumoconiosis among Asian physicians taking AIR Pneumo certification examination

“…Screening and surveillance programs are very effective at detecting new cases of pneumoconiosis and also provide information about trend and burden of disease in workers exposed to mineral dust 5 ) . To promote the efficiency of screening programs in developing countries, the Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) provides training and examination programs for raising physicians who can perform the ILO classification 6 ) . At the end of 2019, more than five hundred physicians had received training since the program began in 2006.…”