Telepathology in Hematopathology Diagnostics: A Collaboration Between Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital and University of Texas Health-McGovern Medical School

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that telepathology using whole-slide imaging significantly improves diagnostic efficiency and facilitates remote expert consultation and education in hematopathology between Vietnam and the USA.

Contribution

It presents a practical telepathology collaboration model that enhances diagnostic speed and knowledge transfer in hematopathology across international borders.

Findings

30% reduction in turnaround times for diagnoses

Effective real-time remote consultations with subspecialists

Establishment of a case review website for ongoing education

Abstract

Digital pathology in the form of whole-slide-imaging has been used to support diagnostic consultation through telepathology. Previous studies have mostly addressed the technical aspects of telepathology and general pathology consultation. In this study, we focus on our experience at University of Texas Health-McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas in providing hematopathology consultation to the Pathology Department at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital in Vietnam. Over a 32-month period, 71 hematopathology cases were submitted for telepathology. Diagnostic efficiency significantly improved with average turnaround times reduced by 30% compared to traditional on-site consultations with local pathologists using glass slides. A web site has been established in this telepathology project to retain information of the most recently discussed cases for further review after the teleconference. Telepathology provides an effective platform for real-time consultations, allowing remote subspecialty experts to interact with local pathologists for comprehensive case reviews. This process also fosters ongoing education, facilitating knowledge transfer in regions where specialized hematopathology expertise is limited.