TITLE: Telepathology: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines

is an information service for those involved in planning and providing health care in Canada. HTIS responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources and a summary of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. HTIS responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report. Links: This report may contain links to other information available on the websites of third parties on the Internet. CADTH does not have control over the content of such sites. Use of third party sites is governed by the owners' own terms and conditions. Telepathology is the use of telecommunications technology to facilitate the transfer of image-rich pathology data between remote locations for the purposes of diagnosis, education, research, and external quality assessment. 1,2 The use of telepathology applies to any patient's pathology data that can be transferred using telecommunications technology. This technology is useful when there is no on-site pathologist such as in remote regions with limited access to pathology services, for intraoperative diagnoses, teletraining or for obtaining second opinions. 3,4 Alternatives to telepathology are conventional light microscopy and on-site pathologist consultation or direct face-to-face evaluation as per Appendix 1. Telepathology systems are divided into three main types: static, dynamic, and virtual slide systems. Static or delayed-time telepathology involves capturing, digitizing, and transmitting still images of a gross or microscopic specimen to a consulting pathologist. 4 Static telepathology has the advantages of being reasonably priced and useable in the widest settings, but has the significant drawback …