Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Pathologist Training in the Time of COVID-19: Our Experience using a Digital Solution

Area of Science:

• Digital Pathology
• Medical Education
• Oncology Diagnostics

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional face-to-face training for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) assays.
• Social distancing measures required innovative solutions for pathologist training and assay certification.
• Continuity of clinical trials depended on adapting PD-L1 assay training methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the development and implementation of the Roche pathology training portal (PTP) for remote PD-L1 assay training.
• To assess the effectiveness of the PTP in training pathologists and facilitating assay certification.
• To demonstrate the capability of a digital platform for continuing essential medical training during a global health crisis.

Main Methods:

• Developed a web-based PTP integrating a learning management system (LMS) and an image management system (IMS).
• Produced whole slide images (WSIs) using a DP200 instrument and uploaded them to the IMS.
• Created annotated WSI courses on the LMS for global pathologist training and certification examinations via the LMS.

Main Results:

• Conducted 47 pathologist training events using the PTP.
• Achieved a 93% first-attempt pass rate (44 out of 47 trainees passed).
• Successfully enabled continued PD-L1 diagnostic assay training and certification during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The PTP effectively facilitated remote training for PD-L1 diagnostic assay algorithms.
• The digital solution demonstrated high efficacy in pathologist training and certification, maintaining trial continuity.
• The PTP serves as a viable model for remote medical training in specialized diagnostic assays.