In recent years, many pathology labs have decided to go digital, investing in high-end scanners. The vision was clear: unlock faster diagnoses, enable remote capabilities, and integrate cutting-edge AI support. But, for many, this exciting future hasn’t materialized. Instead of revolutionizing workflows, these expensive tools often end up gathering dust, falling short of their potential.
This disconnect between vision and reality was a central theme in a recent webinar hosted by Pathology News CEO & President Jonathan Tunstall. During the candid discussion, Lumea CEO James Thackeray and Chief Revenue Officer Chelsea Sowards shared insights they’ve gained from countless conversations with pathologists worldwide. As James put it, “We’ll go visit groups that have a scanner, and it is full of dust in the corner—it’s been used three times for some tumor board and has not been used in clinical diagnosis or primary diagnosis.” Their dialogue uncovered the often frustrating reality for many of these groups: the technology is readily available, but consistent daily usage remains elusive.
This article delves into the core challenges discussed by James and Chelsea—the “why” behind so many promising digital pathology solutions failing to take root. We’ll explore why adoption so commonly stalls at this critical stage and, more importantly, discuss practical strategies that empower labs to achieve true digital diagnostic efficiency, ensuring their investments become indispensable daily tools rather than expensive paperweights.
The Challenge of the Pathologist’s Existing Workflow
Pathologists are experts at their craft, and they’re incredibly efficient at working within the workflow they’ve developed. So, it’s quite difficult to ask them to switch to a digital workflow and nearly impossible if that workflow is slower or less efficient than working with a microscope.
The common assumption is that barriers to digital pathology adoption are rooted in funding limitations or resistance to change. But in practice, one of the biggest hurdles is the lack of a cohesive digital workflow that matches or exceeds the efficiency of the traditional microscope.
Chelsea Sowards put it plainly: “The most surprising thing that I think I hear often is that [practices] have a scanner, and it’s not being used… they’ve just struggled to get the workflow in place.”
This very common, systemic challenge shows that implementing new technologies isn’t truly effective without a corresponding strategy for integration into existing daily routines.
Strategic Implementation for Daily Use
To move from dusty hardware to daily use, labs need more than equipment—they need a thoughtful, strategic implementation built around how pathologists really work.
Eliminate the “Cockpit”
One major challenge is how to eliminate the “cockpit,” a term used to describe a physical station filled with screens and equipment to accommodate the tech pathologists need for digital diagnoses. In a “cockpit,” pathologists are often asked to juggle between separate viewers, LIS, case management software, and AI tools—all on different platforms.
This fragmented experience undermines efficiency and frustrates users. What pathologists really need is an integrated solution. They want to stay in one platform, on one screen, for the entire diagnostic process.
So, deep, embedded integrations—not just feature add-ons—are critical. Look for vendors that understand this complexity and can deliver unified solutions where diagnostic review, case information, and reporting all live in one place.
Embrace a Phased Adoption Approach
Another common mistake? Leading with the “cool stuff”—like advanced AI analytics—before pathologists are comfortable reading slides digitally. Practices that understand digital pathology adoption as a phased process will be much more successful.
Start by digitizing primary diagnoses. Give pathologists the time and support to build confidence and muscle memory with the new system. Once the digital foundation is solid, you can introduce more advanced tools like AI, which will then be better received and more effectively used.
The key is to frame digital pathology as a replacement and support system. When properly integrated, AI tools can offer quality checks, reduce review time, and highlight areas of concern, augmenting the pathologist’s expertise rather than competing with it.
Focus on Pathologist-Centric Design
In the digital pathology space, there’s no shortage of vendors touting flashy features. But successful adoption hinges on building tools that pathologists actually need and want to use. So, be sure to look past flashy buzzwords and make sure you’re first getting useful features that were designed with the user in mind.
Focus on core functionality that:
- Enhances efficiency
- Enables true remote work
- Reduces clicks and screen switching
- Feels intuitive and natural
Making Digital Pathology a Daily Reality
Making a large initial investment like a scanner purchase is just the beginning. To truly realize the promise of digital pathology, labs must focus on what happens after the purchase.
That means:
- Respecting existing workflows
- Prioritizing integration over features
- Phasing adoption thoughtfully
- Designing around real user needs
Digital pathology has the potential to transform diagnostics, expand access to care, and improve patient outcomes—but only if it’s truly being used. By committing to implementation strategies that center around workflow and usability, labs can ensure their digital investments become indispensable daily tools.
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