Implementation of digital pathology into diagnostic practice: perceptions and opinions of histopathology trainees and implications for training

Browning, Lisa; Colling, Richard; Rittscher, Jens; Winter, Lucinda; McEntyre, Nicholas; Verrill, Clare

doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2019-206137

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…We also considered the perceptions of those training in histopathology of the utility of DP and of the transition process, particularly given the variability of access to DP within the training centres in the region, given that general utility of DP is currently limited to OUHFT [ 12 ]. It was evident from this work that trainee pathologists’ needs were an important consideration during the rollout, particularly from the training and validation aspect, and the potential need for them to continue reporting on GS as well as DP.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Pathology Transformation in a Supraregional Germ Cell Tumour Network

et al. 2021

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Background: In this article we share our experience of creating a digital pathology (DP) supraregional germ cell tumour service, including full digitisation of the central laboratory. Methods: DP infrastructure (Philips) was deployed across our hospital network to allow full central digitisation with partial digitisation of two peripheral sites in the supraregional testis germ cell tumour network. We used a survey-based approach to capture the quantitative and qualitative experiences of the multidisciplinary teams involved. Results: The deployment enabled case sharing for the purposes of diagnostic reporting, second opinion, and supraregional review. DP was seen as a positive step forward for the departments involved, and for the wider germ cell tumour network, and was completed without significant issues. Whilst there were challenges, the transition to DP was regarded as worthwhile, and examples of benefits to patients are already recognised. Conclusion: Pathology networks, including highly specialised services, such as in this study, are ideally suited to be digitised. We highlight many of the benefits but also the challenges that must be overcome for such clinical transformation. Overall, from the survey, the change was seen as universally positive for our service and highlights the importance of engagement of the whole team to achieve success.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Pathology Transformation in a Supraregional Germ Cell Tumour Network

et al. 2021

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“…Our study includes personal experiences and opinions—both positive and negative—and other surveys have examined similar aspects [ 3 , 5 , 9 , 14 , 21 , 30 , 34 , 35 ]. Our study differed by including mixed professions like MD, BLS, and clinical directors and both quantitative and qualitative methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Presently, many pathology departments consider or even aim to become fully digital, which will provide new opportunities like digital assisted image analysis (DAIA) and artificial intelligence (AI) [ 1 ]. Digital pathology (DP) has for a long while been a successful tool in research and education with limited use in primary diagnostics [ 2 , 3 ], but new technological advancements have now made DP an interesting player in the diagnostic setting—not only for the DP front-runner laboratories [ 2 , 4 – 7 ]. DP is an image-based environment that involve the work process after staining procedures: From scanning glass slides to end-diagnosis [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Road to Digital Pathology in Denmark—National Survey and Interviews

et al. 2022

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Digital pathology (DP) is changing pathology departments dramatically worldwide, yet globally, few departments are presently digitalized for the full diagnostic workflow. Denmark is also on the road to full digitalization countrywide, and this study aim to cover experiences during the implementation process in a national context. Thus, quantitative questionnaires were distributed to all pathology departments in Denmark ( n = 13) and distributed to all professions including medical clinical directors, medical doctors (MD) and biomedical laboratory scientists (BLS). For a qualitative perspective, we interviewed four employees representing four professions. Data were collected in 2019–2020. From the questionnaire and interviews, we found strategies differed at the Danish departments with regards to ambitions, technological equipment, workflows, and involvement of type of professions. DP education was requested by personnel. Informants were in general positive toward the digital future but mainly had concerns regarding the political pressure to integrate DP before technological advances are sufficient for maintaining rational budgets, workflows, and for sustaining diagnostic quality. This study is a glance on the Danish implementation process in its early stages from personnel’s point of view. It shows the complexity when large new workflow processes are to be implemented countrywide and with a large diversity of stakeholders like managers, MD, BLS, IT-professionals, and authorities. To ensure best technological and economical solutions and to maintain—or even optimize—diagnostic quality with DP and workflow alignment, we suggest superior inter- and intradepartmental communication. When implementing DP countrywide, a national working group is warranted with the variety of stakeholders represented.

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“…Digital pathology provides innovative tools that are being increasingly exploited to improve cancer care and discovery. [ 25 ] The adoption of digital pathology in several clinical and surgical fields has proven valuable in the review of difficult cases by experts, easy case archiving, consultation, and research activities. [ 19 20 21 ] However, its employment in the field of transplantation is lagging behind, partially due to the cost of the equipment, but mostly for the perception of low utility of pathology in assessing the organ viability and predicting the transplant outcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advantages of Using a Web-based Digital Platform for Kidney Preimplantation Biopsies

Neri

Eccher²,

Rigotti

et al. 2021

Journal of Pathology Informatics

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Background: In the setting of kidney transplantation, histopathology of kidney biopsies is a key element in the organ assessment and allocation. Despite the broad diffusion of the Remuzzi–Karpinski score on preimplantation kidney biopsies, scientific evidence of its correlation to the transplantation outcome is controversial. The main issues affecting the prognostic value of histopathology are the referral to general on-call pathologists and the semiquantitative feature of the score, which can raise issues of interpretation. Digital pathology has shown very reliable and effective in the oncological diagnosis and treatment; however, the spread of such technologies is lagging behind in the field of transplantation. The aim of our study was to create a digital online platform where whole-slide images (WSI) of preimplantation kidney biopsies could be uploaded and stored. Methods: We included 210 kidney biopsies collected between January 2015 and December 2019 from the joint collaboration of the transplantation centers of Padua and Verona. The selected slides, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, were digitized and uploaded on a shared web platform. For each case, the on-call pathologists' Remuzzi grades were obtained from the original report, together with the clinical data and the posttransplantation follow-up. Results: The storage of WSI of preimplantation kidney biopsies would have several clinical, scientific, and educational advantages. The clinical utility relies on the possibility to consult online expert pathologists and real-time quality checks of diagnosis. From the perspective of follow-up, the archived digitized biopsies can offer a useful comparison to posttransplantation biopsies. In addition, the digital online platform is a precious tool for multidisciplinary meetings aimed both at the clinical discussion and at the design of research projects. Furthermore, this archive of readily available WSI is an important educational resource for the training of professionals. Conclusions: Finally, the web platform lays the foundation for the introduction of artificial intelligence in the field of transplantation that would help create new diagnostic algorithms and tools with the final aim of increasing the precision of organ assessment and its predictive value for transplant outcome.

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Implementation of digital pathology into diagnostic practice: perceptions and opinions of histopathology trainees and implications for training

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Digital Pathology Transformation in a Supraregional Germ Cell Tumour Network

Digital Pathology Transformation in a Supraregional Germ Cell Tumour Network

On the Road to Digital Pathology in Denmark—National Survey and Interviews

Advantages of Using a Web-based Digital Platform for Kidney Preimplantation Biopsies

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