Survey-Based Insights into Romania's Pathology Services: Charting the Path for Future Progress

Pathology is essential for cancer diagnosis, bridging clinical and surgical fields, and requires adequate infrastructure, technology, and skilled staff to meet standards of care. In Romania, healthcare underfunding limits pathology laboratories' capacity to provide timely and accurate diagnoses, leading to delays that could negatively impact treatment and patient outcomes. Our study aimed to assess the status of publicly funded pathology laboratories in Romania and identify key areas for improvement.

We analyzed public hospitals in Romania, excluding specialized and non-general care institutions, to evaluate pathology laboratories. A 10-item survey was distributed over 12 months via email, phone, administrative offices, and professional networks to pathologists working in these laboratories, regardless of their hierarchical position. A total of 154 pathology services were represented. The questionnaire assessed technical capabilities, diagnostic techniques, automation, staffing, infrastructure, and satisfaction with funding and resources. Responses were gathered with both predefined and open-text fields to capture comprehensive insights.

The findings revealed that many pathology laboratories faced significant challenges, including a lack of automation, limited integration of modern technologies, and barriers to digitalization. Despite these issues, pathologists reported higher-than-expected levels of satisfaction with their laboratories.

A comprehensive understanding of existing practices is necessary to drive the modernization of pathology services, establish national standards, and improve collaboration both within and across specialties. Without such foundational insight, efforts to enhance the integration and effectiveness of pathology services are likely to remain constrained.