ABSTRACT
Telepathology in India is still in the evolving stages. Although, much progress has been made around the world specially in the field of digital imaging and virtual slides, the practice of telepathology in India still revolves around static telepathology, be it in telelearning or distance learning, or in remote diagnosis. Websites such as telepathology.org.in have been very successful in popularizing telepathology through quizzes of interesting and rare cases. The only study of teleconsultation from India, has shown that a good concordance with glass slide and static telepathology images. The reasons for the relative delay in acceptance of telepathology in India are manifold.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Humans , India , Internet , Telepathology/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Telepathology is the most recent addition to the pathologist's diagnostic tools. It is the acquisition of macroscopic and microscopic images for electronic transmission for diagnosis, consultation and/or education. With the addition of the personal computer at the pathologist's desktop, the stage has been set for one of the greatest advantages the Internet has to offer. Telepathology in India is in infancy, and we at PathoIndia (www.Pathoindia.com) have started a series of publication images from interesting cases in the form of weekly quiz. After cases are published, hundreds of pathologists from around the world are invited by e-mail to send in their diagnosis and comments. The responses to this quiz suggest that telepathology is catching on in the pathology community. Another intention of this series is to identify and select qualified international and Indian pathologists who would be willing to help colleagues from India requesting second opinions online.