Digital pathology: Is it if or when?
While digital pathology holds great promise, it still faces great challenges, according to a new study published Oct. 1 from Signify Research. But it is a matter of when, noted Steve Holloway, principal analyst at Signify Research, in a blog commenting on the report.
“It [digital pathology] remains a long way behind many other clinical departments in its adoption of technology,” Holloway wrote. “While some progress has been made in addressing many of the issues and complexities associated with pathological services, further progress still is needed for market growth to match the marketing hype."
With just five percent of pathology sites across the globe digitizing their workflow, the specialty is ripe for digitalization. Yet, changing the way pathologists practice, earning their trust in new and largely untested technology except for a few regions and changing their daily workflow brings a steep learning curve.
"With healthcare provision evolving towards value-based, multidisciplinary care, focus on operational efficiency will intensify focus on pathology digitalization, though more established models of implementation are still needed," noted Holloway. "Moreover, growing use of analytics and machine learning in other segments should further spur a transition to digital pathology.”
See the entire blog below.
Mary joined TriMed Media in 2003. She was the founding editor and editorial director of Health Imaging, Cardiovascular Business, Molecular Imaging Insight and CMIO, now known as Clinical Innovation + Technology. Prior to TriMed, Mary was the editorial director of HealthTech Publishing Company, where she had worked since 1991. While there, she oversaw four magazines and related online media, and piloted the launch of two magazines and websites. Mary holds a master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. She lives in East Greenwich, R.I., and when not working, she is usually running around after her family, taking photos or cooking.