Want to know why doctors love telepathology? Here are three reasons why.
Crime TV dramas have taught many ordinary people the value of pathology. They’ve also seen pathologists reviewing slides sent by a specialist on the other side of the country. That makes them familiar with the concept of telepathology practice, if not its name.
Simply put, telepathology is a way to practice pathology using telecommunications. Ronald S. Weinstein, M.D coined the term in 1986 while discussing future developments of pathology.
For him, pathology needed to develop alongside technology to provide better and faster diagnoses of disease. The medical world is catching up with this prediction.
Wonder why doctors love this technology? Read on to discover the top three benefits of telepathology.
1) Telepathology Provides a Faster Service
Viewing material, such as images or slides, becomes a faster process when it’s accessible remotely. A robotic microscope captures the images, which are sent to pathologists wherever they’re based.
Pathologists can also access the expertise of other specialists, like dermatologists. These professionals can view the material wherever they are, without a need for lengthy travel arrangements.
There’s no more waiting around for visits from these specialists squeezed between meetings. That leads to a tremendous value of telepathology for doctors.
2) The Process Relies on Data Encryption
Following a range of scandals about the proper storage of data, you might worry about the security of telepathology. Yet the images are encrypted and transmitted via a secure connection.
The data can only be accessed by a practitioner with the right security credentials. It also saves space since the data is digital, unlike the handling and storage of physical slides.
Introducing whole slide imaging offers a whole range of benefits to doctors. In fact, the use of cutting-edge technology within pathology is one of the aspects that attract new practitioners to the field.
3) Remote Evaluations Offer Better Diagnoses
A pathologist has to cope with a restricted field of view when they look into a microscope. With telepathology, they can view slides more easily.
It becomes easier to compare slides in a series, making their diagnosis more effective. The process involves software which helps lower the chances of diagnostic mistakes.
Not to mention, sensitive slides never need to be exposed to contaminants. Only their digital versions are transmitted between consultants. There’s no need to transport glass slides anywhere.
Telepathology Is a Way Forward for Medicine
The adoption of telepathology demonstrates how forward-facing the pathology field is in the twenty-first century. It allows consultants and pathologists to save time when making their diagnosis. That frees up their time to be spent elsewhere.
Not only that, it’s also a safe, secure, and simple way to help diagnose and treat disease.
If you’re looking for telepathology solutions, we can help. Click here to learn more about this fascinating new development in medical technology.
