The Critical Value of Telepathology in the COVID-19 Era

Jeffrey M Petersen; Nirag Jhala; Darshana N Jhala

doi:10.12788/fp.0381

The Critical Value of Telepathology in the COVID-19 Era

Fed Pract. 2023 Jun;40(6):186-193. doi: 10.12788/fp.0381. Epub 2023 Jun 13.

Authors

Jeffrey M Petersen^#^{1

2}, Nirag Jhala^#³, Darshana N Jhala^#^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Corporal Michael J Crescenz Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
² University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
³ Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Telepathology, which includes the use of telecommunication links, helps enable transmission of digital pathology images for primary diagnosis, quality assurance, education, research, or second opinion diagnoses.

Observations: This review covers all aspects of telepathology implementation, including the selection of platforms, budgets and regulations, validation, implementation, education, quality monitoring, and the potential to improve practice. Considering the long-term trends, the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the potential for future pandemics or other disasters, the validation and implementation of telepathology remains a reasonable choice for laboratories looking to improve their practice.

Conclusions: Though barriers to implementation exist, there are potential benefits, such as the wide spectrum of uses like frozen section, telecytology, primary diagnosis, and second opinions. Telepathology represents an innovation that may transform the future of pathology practice.

Publication types

Review