Authors' recommendations: Based on the evidence reviewed in this report, telepathology appears to be a promising and valuable technology, with particular relevance to remote or financially constrained regions with limited access to pathology services. The highest level of evidence identified to support the use of telepathology was from two RCTs that evaluated the diagnostic concordance of virtual slide microscopy (presently the most advanced form of telepathology) with conventional light microscopy. No RCTs of static or dynamic telepathology were identified. All non-randomized trials identified also evaluated either the diagnostic accuracy or concordance of static, dynamic or virtual microscopy telepathology with reference diagnoses or diagnoses achieved by conventional methods. Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of telepathology appears to be comparable to that of conventional microscopy, especially when used in conjunction with other supporting tools or a decision making framework. No trials were identified in which the direct impact of telepathology on clinical outcomes was investigated, so the clinical effectiveness of telepathology for sharing or interpreting laboratory specimens is uncertain.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/l0200_telepathology_htis-2.pdf

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)