Digital Pathology Ecosystem: Basic Elements to Revolutionize the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Diseases in Health Sector

Digital pathology is an image-based environment for the acquisition, management, sharing, and interpretation of pathology information supported by techniques for data extraction and analysis. Digital pathology is an emerging technology that can improve diagnostic approaches and the monitoring of diseases for more efficient healthcare organizations. However, the technological and organizational transformation of digital pathology units and services needs investments to support IT infrastructure, equipment, staffing and training of skilled human resources for an effective innovation ecosystem. In fact, an operational innovation ecosystem for digital pathology, in which different subjects and/or entities have complex inter-relationships, can foster the development, implementation, and diffusion of this new technological system. The goal of this study is to detect and analyze the basic elements and interactions of a functioning digital pathology ecosystem directed to support the development and widespread adoption of this new technology to increase effectiveness in healthcare organizations and improve patient care. Results show four critical factors to develop an operational digital pathology ecosystem: 1) repository and biobanks for data gathering, filing, and sharing; 2) standardization of data and information; 3) new computational techniques for data processing and analysis; and 4) skilled human resources to manage high-tech equipment and analyse digital information for research and clinical applications. These findings clarify main elements and processes of innovation ecosystem in digital pathology, to support the innovation management for the implementation in organizations and the diffusion of this new technology that is generating a revolution in clinical research and practice of health sector.