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Staff Experiences Transitioning to Digital Dermatopathology in a Tertiary Academic Medical Center: Lessons Learned
Celia C Kamath1,2, Erin O Wissler Gerdes3, Barbara A Barry2
1Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Digital Health
|April 10, 2025
Summary
Digital pathology (DP) adoption requires new skills and workflows. Early implementation stages were better supported than later ones, indicating a need for ongoing support in technology and work redesign for successful digital transformation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Pathology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Digital pathology (DP) replaces traditional glass slides with digital whole slide images.
- Transitioning to DP necessitates new staff skills and workflows.
- Implementation of DP requires understanding social and organizational factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate experiences and perceptions of individuals implementing DP.
- To assess the operationalization and sustainability of DP in practice.
- To identify targets for intervention to support DP implementation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Normalization Process Theory to guide the study.
- Conducted interviews (n=22) and surveys (n=34) with dermatopathologists, referring clinicians, and support staff.
- Applied Normalization Measure Development Questionnaire and qualitative analysis.
Main Results:
- Participants agreed on the shared understanding and value of DP for workflow integration.
- Earlier implementation stages (understanding, participation) received more support than later stages (doing, reflecting).
- Earlier implementation stages (understanding, participation) received more support than later stages (doing, reflecting).
Conclusions:
- Earlier implementation stages of digital pathology were better supported than later stages.
- Further interventions are needed in software integration, workflow redesign, and feedback systems.
- Implementation theories like Normalization Process Theory can guide digital system transitions.
