A Journey to Pathology 3.0: Platform, part 3

Introduction of new technology in ‘modern’ healthcare, and forgive me for using the word ‘modern’ with tongue in cheek, often has a vibe of secular theology. There is a fulfilment, a destination which we are expected to reach. All we need to do is follow the ritual - purchase and press the switch- and predestined outcomes will unfold in front of our eyes.? Once we get the ‘digital pathology’ kit, start reporting on Whole Slide Images, and iron out a few operational trivia, we will become a high-performance organisation with a higher happiness index than Denmark. There is little value in resisting or disliking it, as the change is inevitable and will sweep through regardless.

Unfortunately, technological determinism oversimplifies the intricate relationship between technology and human society. Like any reductionist approach, it downplays the complex interplay of social, cultural, historical, institutional, political, economic, and technological factors while overlooking the critical role of human agency.

Currently, when discussing 'digital pathology,' most services primarily focus on acquiring and implementing digital pathology equipment. It is expected, given the massive strategic debt and investments required. Nevertheless, we must also have a ‘macro perspective’ and work beyond this first-horizon goal.

Transforming services on this scale requires seamless technology integration and organisational development. The latter is where the rubber meets the road because it is more than changing the service model or developing new working habits. It is also about managing transitions.

As we mentioned before, a successful strategy must focus attention and resources on critical issues. For histopathology services, this critical issue is a growing gap between demand and capacity that we can sustainably address only if we address productivity. Technology will offer us the tools to enhance more than just productivity. It will help us with accuracy, resolution, safety, and convenience.

However, the true value of this approach lies in using technology to empower the diagnostic team with the appropriate resources, effective processes, and a supportive culture to achieve exceptional outcomes. I cannot escape quoting Eliyahu Goldratt’s principle again: “Technology can bring benefits if, and only if, it diminishes a limitation”. Technology holds value when it addresses barriers restricting productivity, efficiency or growth. ?

I look forward to discussing these issues at next week’s 11th Digital Pathology & AI Congress in London. The Black Country Pathology Service team, supported by our strategic partners from PA Consulting, will be engaged in two events on Wednesday 11th.?

As part of the Digital Pathology Implementation, Strategy & Application session, we will present “Journey to Pathology 3.0: Intelligent Digital Pathology Platform Programme”. The presentation's theme is our development programme to boost the productivity and performance of the histopathology team by improving the reporting environment, communication, and data. Later in the day, Jen Law, Katherine Glazebrook, and I will facilitate the round table “From Bricks to Clicks: Addressing Unspoken Issues?” We’d like to start crowdsourcing the ideas on how to use new technologies to reshape the ways we work and radically improve productivity and financial efficiency of our systems.

We are looking forward to meeting you at #DigiPathLondon.

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