Areas identified by histopathologists in training as a potential challenge with the digital platform and areas which may potentially be made easier
| Areas of potential challenge with the digital platform | |
| Diagnostic considerations | Lack of nuclear detail (4 comments) Assessing mitotic count (2 comments) Depth of focus/3D assessment (2 comments) Fear of missing something, including small details (2 comments) Time taken to assess the digital slides (2 comments) Grading of tumour Identifying microorganisms Refractile material |
| Technical considerations | Image lagging Out-of-focus images Reproduction of colours Digital system failure Waiting for slides to be scanned |
| Areas that may potentially be easier with the digital platform | |
| Diagnostic considerations | Making measurements (9 comments) Low power view including megablocks (6 comments) Comparing slides (eg, H&E with immunohistochemistry, 3 comments) Easier to ensure all of the slide is seen Easier to visualise the whole case that is for review Identification of lymphovascular invasion Assessment of small gastrointestinal biopsies, polyps, appendix, gall bladders |
| Workflow considerations | Sharing of cases with colleagues Recall of slides for a prior related case |
| Patient care-centred considerations | Reduces risk of misplacing or breaking slides |
| Teaching/training related | Annotating images to share with colleagues and at MDT meetings (6 comments) |
3D, three-dimensional; MDT, multidisciplinary team.