Digital Pathology’s Potential to Resolve Access to Care Issues Globally

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Welcome to PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action! In this episode, Jake Brown speaks with Dr. Lewis Hassell, Director of Anatomic Pathology at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a pioneering educator in digital pathology. Board-certified in Cytopathology and Anatomic/Clinical Pathology, Dr. Hassell leads the Open Pathology Education Network (OPEN), a transformative initiative providing digital education to pathologists in underserved regions, including pilot programs in Vietnam.

This episode delves into Dr. Hassell’s profound insights on how digital pathology can solve critical access-to-care issues, both domestically and internationally, by addressing the persistent challenges of pathologist supply and quality.

Discover:

• Dr. Hassell’s compelling personal journey: From driving through snowstorms for frozen sections in rural U.S. practice to witnessing early 1900s-level medical equipment in Vietnam, underscoring his passion for extending high-quality diagnostic services globally.
• The evolution of digital pathology as a teaching resource: Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital slides and remote learning technologies, transforming pathology education from a “knee-to-knee” model to a globally accessible, asynchronous training regimen.
• Groundbreaking pilot programs: Hear about OPEN’s highly successful pilot in Da Nang, Vietnam, where a digital education program dramatically increased diagnostic accuracy from 65% to over 95% among local pathologists supporting a gynecologic oncology tumor board.
• The vision for accelerated training: Dr. Hassell explains how structured, self-study digital materials can drastically cut down learning curves for trainees (e.g., mastering GI polyps in two weeks instead of six to eight months), potentially accelerating the production of competent pathologists worldwide.
• Overcoming the “Mindset” Hurdle: Dr. Hassell argues that the biggest barrier to widespread digital pathology adoption isn’t economic or technical, but a prevailing “mindset” of both users and providers, hindering the free sharing and embrace of digital tools.
• A hopeful glimpse into the future: Envision a world 10-20 years from now where enhanced training and AI utilization ensure every patient, anywhere, has ready access to the best quality diagnostic information and care, akin to the dramatic transformation seen in global communication.

This powerful conversation highlights the immense potential of digital pathology to not only enhance individual practice but to fundamentally reshape global healthcare accessibility and outcomes.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/digital-pathology-access-to-care-podcast/

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Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.