Biomedical laboratory scientists and technicians in digital pathology - Is there a need for professional development?

Objective: Digital pathology (DP) is moving into Danish pathology departments at high pace. Conventionally, biomedical laboratory scientists (BLS) and technicians have prepared tissue sections for light microscopy, but workflow alterations are required for the new digital era with whole slide imaging (WSI); digitally assisted image analysis (DAIA) and artificial intelligence (AI). We aim to explore the role of BLS in DP and assess a potential need for professional development. Methods: We investigated the roles of BLS in the new digital era through qualitative interviews at Danish Pathology Departments in 2019/2020 before DP implementation (supported by a questionnaire); and in 2022 after DP implementation. Additionally, senior lecturers from three Danish University Colleges reported on how DP was integrated into the 2023 bachelor's degree educational curricula for BLS students. Results: At some Danish pathology departments, BLS were involved in the implementation process of DP and their greatest concerns were lack of physical laboratory requirements (69%) and implementation strategies (63%). BLS were generally positive towards working with DP, however, some expressed concern about extended working hours for scanning. Work-task transfers from pathologists were generally greeted positively from both management and pathologists; however, at follow-up interviews after DP implementation, job transfers had not been effectuated. At Danish university colleges, DP had been integrated systematically in the curricula for BLS students, especially WSI. Conclusion: Involving BLS in DP implementation and development may benefit the process, as BLS have a hands-on workflow perspective with a focus on quality assurance. Several new work opportunities for BLS may occur with DP including WSI, DAIA and AI, and therefore new qualifications are warranted, which must be considered in future undergraduate programmes for BLS students or postgraduate programmes for BLS.

The Association Between Weight Loss and Quality of Life 1 and 5 Years After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Danish Bariatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is effective to achieve significant weight loss, as well as improvement of comorbidity and quality of life (QoL) in obese patients. Several studies have examined whether weight loss can predict the change in QoL after LRYGB but results vary and follow-up is short. The aim of this study was to examine the association between weight loss and change in QoL at 1- and 5-year follow-up after LRYGB. METHODS: The study was a cohort study with 1- and 5-year follow-up, based on data consecutively recorded at the Private Hospital Mølholm, Denmark. Before LRYGB (baseline), 3371 severely obese patients filled in the questionnaire that included information on weight and QoL. The patients were invited to fill in a similar questionnaire at 1- and at 5-year follow-up. The response rate at 1 and 5 years was 71 and 63%, respectively. RESULTS: Among the respondents, there was a positive, significant association between weight loss and change in QoL at both 1- and 5-year follow-up after LRYGB. Weight loss and change in QoL peaked after 1 year but remained significantly different from baseline at 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study showed that weight loss after LRYGB predicts the change in QoL of patients 1 and 5 years after surgery. Furthermore, both weight loss and change in QoL peaked after 1 year but remained significant at 5-year follow-up.

The association between gender and familial prevalence of hip dysplasia in Danish patients.

BACKGROUND: The development of hip dysplasia is associated with several risk factors. 1 of these risk factors is gender, since 80% of patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia are females. Another risk factor for hip dysplasia is familial predisposition of hip dysplasia. Several studies indicate that the risk of hip dysplasia is increased with familial prevalence of hip dysplasia. However, little is known about the association between the familial prevalence and gender and the development of hip dysplasia. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of hip dysplasia among relatives to Danish patients with hip dysplasia operated with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), and the degree of relationship of affected family members. Furthermore, to assess the association between gender and family predisposition in the same group of patients. METHOD: The study is a cross-sectional study, with a descriptive and an analytical part. The study population consists of 676 patients drawn from a clinical database of patients operated with PAO at Aarhus University hospital from 1998 to 2014. Information about gender, operated hip side and age was collected from the clinical PAO database, while information about familial prevalence was collected through questionnaires. The association between gender and familial prevalence of hip dysplasia was presented as the prevalence proportions ratio (PPR), tested by χ2 test. Stratification was conducted for the variables age and operated hip side, with the Mantel-Haenszels analytical method, and tested for statistical significance by χ2. RESULTS: The familial prevalence of hip dysplasia in the study population was 30% (95% CI, 27%-34%), with 73% reporting affected first-degree relatives. Females have 32% increased risk of familial prevalence of hip dysplasia compared to males, but this difference in risk was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that females have 32% increased familial prevalence of hip dysplasia compared to males, but the increased prevalence was not statistically significant probably due to the low power of the study.