The use of digital imaging, video conferencing, and telepathology in histopathology: a national survey

Abstract

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.

"Videoconferencing Journal Club for Dermatology Residency Training: An Attitude Study

“…New information technologies, such as videoconferencing and digital imaging, have been introduced into the medical environment to increase medical care and education. The live, interactive features of videoconferencing have popularized the technology, which is now established for the education of various medical specialties (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Because store and forward type telemedicine and teledermatology using digital skin imaging are more affordable and accessible to many dermatologists than expensive and facilitydemanding live videoconferencing, the use of videoconferencing in dermatology is less extensive.…”

“…However, the interactivity of videoconferencing would be appropriate for educational purposes in dermatology. Teleleaming technologies, such as videoconferencing, may provide a way of improving house officer (resident) training through the better use of limited resources, including medical specialists or attending physicians (4,7).…”

Diagnosis at the microscope: a workplace study of histopathology

“…While there have been positive reports about the use of digital microscopy within education and training (Blake et al 2003;Kumar et al 2004), in relation to diagnostic work, research suggests scepticism and uncertainty amongst histopathologists (Dennis et al 2005). In order to design a successful digital microscope for diagnostic pathology -one which fits with the work practices of histopathologists, which they are happy to use within their daily work -we need an understanding of their current work practices and the context within which they carry out their work.…”

The multidisciplinary team meeting: how to be an effective participant

“…5 Remote participation negating the need to travel is a very effective tool in maximizing limited human resources and this is recognized by a high proportion of pathologists. 6,7 The frequency of routine videoconferencing in MDTMs is however uncertain.…”