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The use of digital imaging, video conferencing, and telepathology in histopathology: a national survey
T Dennis1, R D Start, S S Cross
1Department of Histopathology, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital, Calow, Chesterfield S44 5BL, UK.
Insights
UK histopathologists show good digital pathology equipment but lack training and diagnostic telepathology use. Enthusiasm exists for video conferencing in multidisciplinary team meetings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Digital Pathology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Digital pathology adoption is growing globally.
- Understanding current infrastructure and training is crucial for effective implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey UK histopathologists on digital pathology infrastructure, training, and attitudes.
- To identify barriers and facilitators for digital pathology adoption.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to 500 randomly selected consultant histopathologists in the UK.
- A 47% response rate was achieved, providing insights into current practices.
Main Results:
- 64% of respondents had digital cameras, but only 12% had telepathology equipment.
- 59% received no digital imaging training; 58% cited medicolegal concerns.
- 30% used digital images for presentations; 24% used telepathology diagnostically.
Conclusions:
- UK histopathologists possess adequate digital infrastructure but lack sufficient training.
- Telepathology faces diagnostic resistance, yet video conferencing is favored for multidisciplinary meetings.
Aims:
To undertake a large scale survey of histopathologists in the UK to determine the current infrastructure, training, and attitudes to digital pathology.
Methods:
A postal questionnaire was sent to 500 consultant histopathologists randomly selected from the membership of the Royal College of Pathologists in the UK.
Results:
There was a response rate of 47%. Sixty four per cent of respondents had a digital camera mounted on their microscope, but only 12% had any sort of telepathology equipment. Thirty per cent used digital images in electronic presentations at meetings at least once a year and only 24% had ever used telepathology in a diagnostic situation. Fifty nine per cent had received no training in digital imaging. Fifty eight per cent felt that the medicolegal implications of duty of care were a barrier to its use. A large proportion of pathologists (69%) were interested in using video conferencing for remote attendance at multidisciplinary team meetings.
Conclusions:
There is a reasonable level of equipment and communications infrastructure among histopathologists in the UK but a very low level of training. There is resistance to the use of telepathology in the diagnostic context but enthusiasm for the use of video conferencing in multidisciplinary team meetings.
