Numerous clinical pathology departments are deploying or planning to deploy digital pathology systems for all or part of their diagnostic output. Digital pathology is an evolving technology, and it is important that departments uphold or improve on current standards. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been scanning 100% of histology slides since September 2018. In this practical paper, we will share our approach to training and validation, which has been incorporated into the Royal College of Pathologists’ guidance for digital pathology implementation. We will offer an overview of the Royal College endorsed training and validation protocol and the evidence base on which it is based. We will provide practical advice on implementation of the protocol and highlight areas of digital reporting that can prove difficult for the novice digital pathologist. In addition, we will share a detailed topographical list of types of diagnostic tasks and features which should form the basis of digital slide training sets.
The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) is committed to developing and sharing best practice guidance in the implementation and delivery of clinical digital pathology. We are champions of evidence-based medicine and seek to apply a rational approach to a rapidly evolving medical discipline whilst focusing on patient safety and the maintenance of professional standards.
