SIRP, a live online symposium, will be held September 26-27, 2025. While radiation protection is discussed at other conferences, SIRP is the first program dedicated entirely to radiation safety.

As Course Director of the inaugural Global Symposium on Interventional Radiation Protection (SIRP) and president of Occupational Radiation Safety in Interventional Fluoroscopy (ORSIF), interventional cardiologist Robert Foster, MD, is focused on protecting fluoroscopy teams from the risks they face in providing care.

SIRP, a live online symposium, will be held September 26-27, 2025. While radiation protection is discussed at other conferences, SIRP is the first program dedicated entirely to radiation safety. 

In this Q&A, Dr. Foster shared his answers to vital questions about this event tailored for interventionalists and lab teams:

Q: What are you most excited about with this symposium?

A: SIRP is truly a first-of-its-kind event that’s available online and on-demand. I’m excited that it brings much-needed attention to the health risks in interventional environments. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of radiation exposure, ergonomic challenges, and practical, innovative solutions for reducing these risks.

Q: Why is radiation safety such an urgent issue right now?

A: Over the past decade, interventional procedures have become more advanced and more common. That’s great for patient outcomes, but it also means longer procedures, more radiation exposure and greater strain on teams. 

There are also physical dangers to the health of interventional teams. Consider these facts:

• 85% of brain tumors in interventional physicians occur on the left side, the side most exposed to radiation during procedures.
• Medical staff in interventional fluoroscopy receive up to six times more radiation exposure than the average healthcare worker annually.
• Wearing a lead apron daily adds an extra 20 to 30 pounds of strain, resulting in 50% to 60% of interventionalists reporting chronic back and neck pain.
• Interventional fluoroscopy workers have a 338 per 100,000 increased lifetime risk of cancer due to occupational exposure.

As the need for skilled teams grows, the personal toll on those currently in the field is becoming unsustainable. This has led to stagnation in workforce growth even as demand surges, resulting in increased stress and burnout for those who remain. 
 

Q: What can attendees expect from the SIRP 2025 program and faculty?

A: We’re bringing together a world-class faculty of international experts in radiation biology, medical physics, interventional techniques and occupational health. They’ll cover everything from how radiation affects the body to practical ways to personal protection and ergonomics. It’s a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field.

Q: SIRP 2025 will bring together professionals from many specialties. Why is this multidisciplinary approach so important?

A: Safety in the interventional suite is not just the concern of physicians. Cardiologists, radiologists, surgeons, nurses, technologists, anesthesiologists, electrophysiologists, health physicists and more all face different, but equally important, risks. 
SIRP’s content will address:

• Radiation’s full-body impact.
• Innovative shielding and personal protection technologies.
• Ergonomic improvements to reduce orthopedic wear and tear.
• Real-world success stories, best practices and strategies you can implement immediately.

Q: As ORSIF president, what does the partnership with HMP Global and SIRP mean to you?

A: HMP Global brings unmatched expertise in medical education and outreach, allowing us to reach a wide audience across all specialties involved in interventional care. 
Even more importantly, SIRP will offer CME-accredited content to participants, which is a huge step forward in recognizing occupational health as a professional priority. Since this event is online and on-demand, health teams can revisit SIRP 2025 content any time throughout the following month.

Q: Any final thoughts for those considering attending SIRP 2025?

A: Whether you’re a physician, technologist, nurse, or part of the extended team, your health and safety matter. Registration is now open for this groundbreaking, safety-focused symposium.

Robert Foster, MD, is an interventional cardiologist specializing in peripheral endovascular procedures at The Vein Company in Kingsport, Tennessee. He practiced with Birmingham Heart Clinic, in Birmingham, Alabama, for 26 years before becoming Chief Medical Officer for Rampart IC and President of ORSIF.