Teledermatopathology

Teledermatopathology involves the real-time or static (store-and-forwardStore-and-forward) transmission of microscopic images to a remote pathologistPathology or dermatopathologist. Teledermatopathology allows for specimens to be expertly analyzed by pathologists all over the country, increasing access to specialist care in underservedUnderserved regions and countries. Studies have shown that diagnostic accuracyDiagnostic accuracy with utilizing teledermatopathology is comparable to that of glass microscopy. Teledermatopathology can lead to improvements in clinical workflow and efficacy, as well as increased job satisfaction and schedule flexibility for specialists. It also facilitates collaboration between pathologists and dermatologists, and serves as a resource for educational and researchResearch purposes. Nonetheless, widespread implementation of teledermatopathology is limited by several factors, including variation in image quality of digital slides, costs associated with implementation and maintenance of teledermatopathology services, and hesitancy among specialists. Furthermore, legal considerations, such as licensure and regulations, have also been frequently cited as obstacles. Despite these challenges, dermatologyDermatology and pathology are increasingly becoming more digitized, especially with emphasis on remote care in the setting of the recentCovid-19 COVID-19 pandemic.