Telepathology in Low Resource African Settings

Orah, Nnamdi; Rotimi, Olorunda

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00264

Cited by 19 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…16 This is attributed largely to two processes: first, the discussions that go beyond textbook facts to real-life simulated cases and problem-solving capability allow students to take ownership of the process; and second, the design of assessment itself stimulates critical-thinking: a consequence of the students' approach to these sessions. 6 At a new medical school, introduction of virtual microscopy right from the beginning, when creating an integrated curriculum and choosing a digital format of delivery, was a well-considered decision. The continuum of learning normal histology in tandem with histopathology on a dynamic image mode was perceived by students as an enriching experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…VM in one form or another today occupies center-stage in MDT's to the ultimate aim of making informed decisions on patient management. 6 Irrespective of the chosen specialty, it will become a vital cog in the learning wheel of the life of a competent medical professional when practicing safe medical care, hence its use early in the educational process seems entirely appropriate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The vertical integration of undergraduate learning with postgraduate training and subsequent entry into physician practice or academic career paths, demands a nuanced, stage-specific exposure to modern technology. Digital microscopy has provided an opportunity for a second opinion on challenging diagnoses through remote consultation: several centres shifting completely to virtual histopathology 6 . Quality control programs have increasingly transited to virtual slides to maintain speciality accreditation norms in histopathology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virtual Microscopy in Undergraduate Pathology Education

Lakhtakia

2021

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

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Objectives: Whole-slide imaging (WSI) and virtual microscopy (VM) have revolutionized teaching, diagnosis and research in histopathology. The aims of this study were to establish the feasibility of achieving early integration of clinical reasoning with undergraduate pathology teaching on a virtual microscopy platform and, to determine its student-centricity through student feedback. Methods: Thirty-eight VM-centered clinical cases were introduced to forty-nine students in an integrated undergraduate medical curriculum. The cases were aligned to curricular objectives, reinforced the pathologic basis of disease with critical thinking and were delivered across fifteen interactive small-group sessions. A simulated cross-disciplinary integration and judicious choice of pertinent diagnostic investigations was linked to principles of management. Feedback was obtained through a mixed-methods approach. Results: User-friendliness, gradual learning curve of VM and annotation-capacity were scored 4-5 on a Likert scale of 1-5 by 91.84%, 87.75% and 83.67% students respectively. Students agreed on content-match to the stage of learning (81.63%), theme of the week (91.84%) and development of a strong clinical foundation (77.5%). Integration (85.71%) and clinico-pathological correlation (83.67%) were strengths of this educational effort. High student attendance (~100%) and improved assessment scores on critical thinking (80%) were observed. Software lacunae included frequent logouts and lack of note-taking tools. Easy access was a significant student-centric advantage. Conclusion: A VM-centered approach with clinico-pathological correlation has been successfully introduced to inculcate integrated learning. Using the pathologic basis of disease as fulcrum and critical reasoning as anchor, a digitally-enabled generation of medical students have embraced this educational tool for tutor-guided, student-centered learning. Keywords: virtual, digital, pathology, microscopy, medical education

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virtual Microscopy in Undergraduate Pathology Education

Lakhtakia

2021

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

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“…Pathology laboratory personnel were not exempt from this protocol. For the first time, the concept of “practicing pathology from a distance” was implemented at our hospital, a tertiary cancer referral center for the patients from all over India and Western India in particular [ 1 , 2 ]. This paper discusses how telepathology was factualized and integrated the problems faced during its reporting and possible solutions for the same into the daily surgical pathology reporting at our institute.…”

Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Practicing Surgical Pathology at a Distance, Need of the Hour: Our Experience of a Single Tertiary Care Referral Cancer Centre Observational Study from Western India During Covid-19 Pandemic

Sharma

Vyas

2021

Indian J Surg Oncol

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COVID 19 pandemic struck the globe at a lightning speed mandating the use of containment measures like social distancing and work from home policies to prevent the transmission of this potentially lethal respiratory virus. Our institute, a tertiary referral cancer center catering to the whole of India (Western India in particular), implemented the “work from home” policy during COVID 19 pandemic. For the first time, the concept of “Practicing Pathology from the Distance” (telepathology) was implemented in the Department Of Pathology. This paper discusses how telepathology was factualized, integrated the problems faced during its reporting and possible solutions into the daily surgical pathology reporting at our institute. We analyzed 135 cases by Static Imagery Telepathology out of the total 385 cases reported during national lockdown in India (23rd March to 23rd May 2020) with later confirmation by light microscopy to search for percentage of diagnostic concordance and discrepancy, if any. We experienced 100% diagnostic concordance in all the cases which tested the experience skill and expertise of the concerned telepathology team. However some diagnostic challenges and technical pitfalls were noted while using static imagery technique like time constraints and image qualities. These problems could be resolved by integrating whole slide imaging telepathology for future use. We conclude that during the COVID 19 pandemic, practicing pathology at a distance by integration of technology, expertise, and team work is the need of the hour and the ultimate solution.

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“…Cooperating with international professional societies play a role in maintaining high quality results and for example telepathology gives (hemato-) pathologists an instant feedback on their findings and can contribute to quality assurance [34].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Hematological malignancies in East Africa—Which cancers to expect and how to provide services

et al. 2020

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Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has an increasing non-communicable disease burden. Tanzania has an incidence of more than 35,000 cancer cases per year with an 80% mortality rate. Hematological malignancies account for 10% of these cases. The numbers will double within the next 10 years due to demographic changes, better diagnostic capabilities and life style changes. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre established a Cancer Care Centre (CCC) in December 2016 for a catchment area of 15 million people in Northern Tanzania. This article aims to display the hematological diagnosis and characteristics of the patients as well as to describe the advancements of hematologic services in a low resource setting. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of all hematological malignancies at CCC from December 2016 to May 2019 was performed and a narrative report provides information about diagnostic means, treatment and the use of synergies. Results A total of 209 cases have been documented, the most common malignancies were NHL and MM with 44% and 20%. 36% of NHL cases, 16% of MM cases and 63% of CML cases were seen in patients under the age of 45. When subcategorized, CLL/SLL cases had a median age was 56.5, 51 years for those with other entities of NHL. Sexes were almost equally balanced in all NHL groups while clear male predominance was found in HL and CML. Discussion Malignancies occur at a younger age and higher stages than in Western countries. It can be assumed that infections play a key role herein. Closing the gap of hematologic services in SSA can be achieved by adapting and reshaping existing infrastructure and partnering with international organizations.

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Telepathology in Low Resource African Settings

Cited by 19 publications

References 12 publications

Virtual Microscopy in Undergraduate Pathology Education

Virtual Microscopy in Undergraduate Pathology Education

Practicing Surgical Pathology at a Distance, Need of the Hour: Our Experience of a Single Tertiary Care Referral Cancer Centre Observational Study from Western India During Covid-19 Pandemic

Hematological malignancies in East Africa—Which cancers to expect and how to provide services

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