Telepathology in Poland, present status and future aspects

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Szymas, Janusz

Affiliations: Address for correspondence: Janusz Szymas M.D., Ph.D. Department of Pathology University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewski Str. 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland. e-mail: jszymas@ampat.amu.edu.pl

Abstract: In September 1996 telepathology in Poland started with the activities undertaken in the TEMPUS Joint European Project. The project activities allowed the development of a telepathology laboratory and to prepare courses of telepathology for students of the Medical Faculty, University of Poznan. Three Workshops on telepathology were held in Poznan with international participation from in 1996 until 1999. A World Wide Web microscope has been established. It uses the Internet to connect pathologists for exchange of histopathological data. The telemicroscope localized in Poznan allows a worldwide access to the current cases by using a standard Internet browser. At the same time, a histopathological reference case archive has been established for educational purposes. Several neuropathological cases were digitized and sent via e-mail or transmitted via the ftp protocol to neuropathologcal laboratories located in Lodz (Poland) and Udine (Italy) in order to check the usefulness of this method for the remote consultation. Fifteen neurooncological cases were presented for second opinion to experts in Poland and abroad. In an additional trial, we analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of real time transmission of 52 consecutive neurosurgical cases. Telepathology is also a compartment of the "Internet for Physician" program in Poland. The aim of this project is to construct a telepathology system, which will be available for all Pathological Institutes in Poland and match all international standards, necessary to practice telepathology. Together with other local telepathological activities in Lodz, Lublin, Gliwice and Warsaw, and a growing capacity of national and international Internet networks telepathology in Poland is becoming a reality.

Keywords: telepathology, Poland, Tempus project, teleeducation

Journal: Electronic Journal of Pathology and Histology, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 02-02, 2000