Digitalization

Digitalization has moved forward so many steps that I can´t even count. When I was child there was a landline and TV. Well, TV was with colors 🙂 but we even didn´t have a computer. Nowadays, it is quite common for children to have a mobile phone and often at least teenagers also have a computer, possibly a smartwatch and a game console. People use email and various apps every day to stay on the map of the world around them. Almost everyone knows for example WhatsApp, X (ex-Twitter), TikTok and Instagram. Digitalization is all over us. I don’t think you can escape it, even if you try. Digitalization is a part of us and will certainly be more in the future.

When I started working as biomedical laboratory scientist, there was kind of quite a lot of computers and little bit of digitalization. But so called digitalization was mainly hardware related software. If I think about the present time, there has been a lot of growth in the direction of digitalization, especially in my field. And there is much to come.

I work in pathology laboratory. We have started scanning histological microscope slides of tissues last year with big wave. We are in big changes, in future pathologist won´t only make diagnosis in microscope slides and microscope, they will make diagnosis with computer and digital image of tissue slides. Of course, the microscope also has its place. Pathology will never be only digital, but digitalization will help.

What is needed for digitalization? We need a laboratory information system that can be modified and prepared for our needs. The laboratory information system must be updated often enough so that it responds to changing new challenges. We cannot take full advantage of digitalization of pathology if the information system is not up to date.

Digitalization helps, I think, in normal laboratory work as well. We still have so many lists on paper and I think we should just let go of those lovely lists, tables and piles of papers. We really should remove all possible functions and move those to the cloud. We have all kind of clouds services that we could use. All necessary persons can have access to them. No matter where you are. Most importantly, you will never have to ask “where are the papers?” again.

Anyway, the digitalization will change the world and working field. We are just one step close to new era of digitalization in pathology. Next big thing will be AI-solutions. Artificial intelligence means the ability of computers, when programmed, to be able to imitate human learning. There is and will be AI-based solution that we can use to ease and help work of pathologist. This is really big step; it will be third milestone of pathology.

Integrating artificial intelligence into the workflow of the pathology laboratory can help example quality check of scan images.  Automating repetitive tasks, consultation, and cloud server management will be easier. How ever, the pathology community needs more research to develop safe and reliable AI. As AI’s requirements become clearer in the field, this all is easier. AI in pathology is new thing and will continue to mature as researchers, doctors, regulatory agencies, innovate brings new technology.

GDPR

Digitalization in its simplest form helps to track down patient samples at my workplace. But this “tracing down”, if talking about open digital society, is also where the vulnerability is. An open digital society creates big risks. That is why we have the general data protection regulation (GDPR). It is the strongest security and privacy law in the world. The GDPR came into effect in May 2018.

GDPR defines fundamental rights, data processing obligations, methods and their ensuring compliance. Consent is required for the processing of personal data. Individual must be given clear information about who processes their personal data and why. The purpose of the rules is to ensure that the person understands what they are agreeing to. The person must also be given the opportunity to withdraw their consent.

I think that GDPR has brought clarity to a person’s data protection and is a good thing in that regard.

My information – everyones´s information?

At my workplace, it has often been discussed how sick leave certificates are kept by the supervisor and for how long. This is still not clear to me, how long can a supervisor keep sick leave records? On the other hand, I have no reason why storage would be a problem, but maybe with certain health issues I could be afraid of the information falling into the wrong hands.

Another thing that came up in our workplace were employees’ contact information, which had previously been stored on computers. All this information was removed and each employee was asked to import the information into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which is cloud based site. ERP system connects all personnel processes from recruitment to termination of employment.

Risk of digitalization?

I watch several streaming services. They can offer something to watch according to my previous preferences. I share personal information in different applications. I write Facebook which restaurant I have visited and tag myself in different places. I share photos with Instagram. Data is collected continuously. Including bonus programs of different stores. Of course, this might be useful information, because you can look at the amount of money spent last year on plastic bags or alcohol, for example. Of course, this can be useful information because I can see how much money I spent last year on things like plastic bags or alcohol. Maybe it makes you think about the health of the planet or your own health!

I ask some questions from the AI

I ask Chat GPT to give me 3 ideas how to develop a pathology laboratory

I got 3 excellent ideas. Technology Integration, Quality Assurance and Accreditation and Professional Development and Training.

Technology integration

It means we should invest in diagnostic aquipments and laboratory information systems (LIS). This is just we need. Chat GPT also mentions integration of digital pathology and AI solutions. This is just where we are going.

Quality assurance and Accreditation

Quality management system and accreditation is a large and important part of pathology so Chat GPT says wise words.

Professional Development and Training

Investing in ongoing training and development programs for laboratory staff that is quite important. As ChatGPT told it is best way to ensuring quality standards.

I asked which is currently the best AI application for prostate biopsy specimens.

ChatGPT answers quite carefully. It says that last knowledge update was in January 2022 so field of AI in pathology new developments may have occurred since then. ChatGPT tells about some different applications but just like it tells all data is quite old. ChatGPT also tells that it’s very important to stay updated on the latest advancements because this field changes rapidly. For the most current information on the best AI applications for prostate biopsy specimens ChatDPT recommends to check recent medical literature or consulting with experts in the field of pathology and digital pathology. This was very good answer. This field is really changing so rapidly.

I also asked about how to improve the quality of tissue sections with specimen slides and ChatGPT answered with good quality.

My thoughts about ChatGPT

I think ChatGPT is good helps to get some ideas, but this is something I have never learned to use. Maybe I have to try learning this. Anyway, just like I said this ChatGPT is good to tell some ideas but you really should know something about the subject you are asking because you can’t be sure is answers true or not. The internet has so much data but there is also so much wrong and even dangerous information. if you are a used to use of ChatGPT, you will probably get a lot of help using it.

Self evaluation

I understand the dangers of digitalization and I know I shouldn’t share too much information about myself. However, this can sometimes be forgotten. It is important to keep in mind what information can be published and when. This is very important in the field I work in. When writing things, you have to remember to keep practicality and professionalism in mind. The information in the patient documents are official documents that the patient can obtain for himself if wishes. In addition, information security must be remembered from many different points of view. Just remembering numerous passwords is difficult. Fortunately, there are applications for this, but what about their data security? The More I learn and the more I understand, the more questions, thoughts and doubts arise in my mind. I think I just have to be awake and try to learn new things in a changing society. You have to maintain interest and find out the background of new things.

“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”—B.B. King

---

I have commented next blogs:

https://blogi.savonia.fi/sannahapponen/

https://blogi.savonia.fi/siljakoivisto