Telepathology, an innovative tool for versatile education and training in diagnostic pathology

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Szymas, Janusz

Affiliations: Department of Clinical Pathology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewski Str. 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland

Abstract: Telepathology is the diagnostic work of a pathologist at a distance. It often requires specific technical solutions. These include telemicroscopes, telepathological systems, proper telecommunicaton links and computer graphic terminals. Development of computer science, digitalization of macro- and microscopic pictures, dissemination of microcomputers permit the use of electronic data interchange for diagnosis or education in pathology. Standard technologies like HTML, JavaScript and digitalized static pictures may be used for the information service. The information service on Web server can be used for the course of pathology during the semester curriculum. The two main models of telepathology (static versus dynamic), their applications, the use of telepathology at the Department of Pathology of the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan for didactic purposes and some future aspects will be discussed. TELEMIC telepathology system is used in a local area network, which connects classrooms with the laboratory. It is therefore possible to include this technique into education and diagnostic training. A virtual slide is a fully digital representation of the histological specimen including complete series of static images taken at all magnifications. Implementation of this in an education system requires two modules. The first implementation allows the acquisition of images of the entire specimen. The second module permits the examination of virtual slide by intuitive and user-friendly interface. In combination with clinical and radiological data the construction of the virtual case is possible. By viewing a virtual slide it is possible to search for areas of interest and to examine the slide at various magnification. Such activity needs international cooperation, dedicated international servers, reference databases and telepathology networks, which allow continuous education in pathology. It allows the creation of multimedial database, archiving of data and exchange of information.

Keywords: Telepathology, teleeducation, quality assurance, static telepathology, dynamic telepathology

Journal: Electronic Journal of Pathology and Histology, vol. 8, no. 1-4, pp. 07-07, 2003