Impact of the transition to digital pathology in a clinical setting on histopathologists in training: experiences and perceived challenges within a UK training region.

AIMS: With increasing utility of digital pathology (DP), it is important to consider the experiences of histopathologists in training, particularly in view of the varied access to DP across a training region and the consequent need to remain competent in reporting on glass slides (GS), which is also relevant for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists part 2 examination. Understanding the impact of DP on training is limited but could aid development of guidance to support the transition. We sought to investigate the perceptions of histopathologists in training around the introduction of DP for clinical diagnosis within a training region, and the potential training benefits and challenges. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was circulated to 24 histopathologists in training within a UK training region, including a hospital which has been fully digitised since summer 2020. RESULTS: 19 of 24 histopathologists in training responded (79%). The results indicate that DP offers many benefits to training, including ease of access to cases to enhance individual learning and teaching in general. Utilisation of DP for diagnosis appears variable; almost half of the (10 of 19) respondents with DP experience using it only for ancillary purposes such as measurements, reporting varying levels of confidence in using DP clinically. For those yet to undergo the transition, there was a perceived anxiety regarding digital reporting despite experience with DP in other contexts. CONCLUSIONS: The survey evidences the need for provision of training and support for histopathologists in training during the transition to DP, and for consideration of their need to maintain competence and confidence with GS reporting.

Implementation of digital pathology into diagnostic practice: perceptions and opinions of histopathology trainees and implications for training.

There is increasing interest in the utility of digital pathology in the diagnostic setting. Successful transition requires guidance and training, but additionally an understanding of opinions and attitudes of histopathologists to ensure that potential barriers are addressed. Histopathology trainees as a group are likely to be at the forefront of this revolution, and have specific and as yet largely neglected training needs in this context. We designed an online survey for trainees within our region to capture their opinions and attitudes to digital pathology in the diagnostic setting, and to assess their perceived training needs. This survey indicates overall that these trainees have similar aspirations with regard to the predicted utility of digital pathology and the challenges faced as have been recognised among consultant histopathologists. While their training needs are also largely similar, there are specific additional considerations based around training in multiple centres with varying exposure to digital pathology.