Telepathy: maximizing resident exposure to surgical pathology decision making

Abstract 

Background

General surgery residents are often not present for the critical intraoperative discussion between surgeon and pathologist regarding surgical pathology findings.

Methods

A prospective pilot study analyzed general surgery resident exposure to surgical pathology. Thereafter, an operating room was equipped to view frozen section images in real time and verbally communicate with the pathologist (TelePATHy). Total operative cases, cases using frozen sections, and use of TelePATHy were recorded.

Results

Most residents (78%) reported they were exposed to frozen-section surgical pathology ≤10% of the time. Overall, 202 operations were performed over the 123-day period. Forty-four cases had frozen-section specimens. General surgery residents were present for 40 cases. TelePATHy was successfully used in 32 cases (80%).

Conclusions

General surgery resident exposure to intraoperative pathology findings increased from a reported ≤10% to an observed 80%. TelePATHy is a novel intraoperative tool capable of maximizing the intraoperative experience of the surgical resident.

Keywords:  Surgical education , Surgical pathology , Telecommunications , Telepathology