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In anticipation of the upcoming Digital Pathology & AI Congress, I had the privilege of speaking to some speakers to get their thoughts about the issues confronting digital pathology.
The Evolution of Digital Pathology:
Chris Sleight, Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network, about his forthcoming presentation and the future of digital pathology envisions that Digital Pathology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions will revolutionize service delivery. These advancements are expected to lead to reduced waiting times, earlier diagnoses, and improved treatment outcomes. As the population grows and the demand on pathology services increases, the adoption of digital and AI technologies will be essential to meet these challenges effectively.
Orly Ardon, Director Digital Pathology Operations and Assistant Attending, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said that digital pathology is here to stay and is becoming an integral aspect of pathology. In the coming years, additional laboratories and institutions of all sizes will adopt digital pathology, which will increase the potential market opportunity. This will drive further development of hardware and software solutions that will accommodate the growing demand for new and better technological solutions.
Recommendations for Pathologists:
Orly added that all pathologists should familiarise themselves and become increasingly comfortable with digital pathology technologies. Only once pathologists can see the benefits and the immense impact that digital pathology can offer to their unique practice needs, they will experiment and then transition to fully digital workflows. The individual pathologist transition will be pathologist dependent and will take time and additional resources such as training support to achieve.
For pathologists aiming to implement digital pathology solutions, Chris advises having a clear vision of the desired outcomes, supported by strong clinical leadership and robust program support. This strategic approach is vital for successful integration and utilization of digital technologies in pathology practices.
Current Challenges and Priorities:
Chris said that a significant challenge facing the digital pathology community is affordability. This includes establishing standardized methods for the retention and retrieval of digital images alongside future retention criteria for glass slides. Retention regulations for images and/or slides must ensure quality, safety, security, and good governance, while also being economical, sustainable, and environmentally acceptable. Addressing these issues is crucial for the widespread adoption of digital pathology solutions.
Turning to the essence of his presentation, Chris emphasizes that the future workforce will predominantly comprise individuals from Generations Z and Alpha, for whom digital technology is not considered “cutting edge” but rather an integral part of daily life. For these generations, technology is as intuitive and essential as breathing; they have never known a world without it. Consequently, integrating digital solutions into pathology is not just advantageous but imperative to align with the expectations and capabilities of the emerging workforce.
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