Implementing digital pathology: qualitative and financial insights from eight leading European laboratories

Abstract

Digital Pathology (DP) revolutionizes the diagnostic workflow. Digitized scanned slides enhance operational efficiency by facilitating remote access, slide storage, reporting and automated AI image analysis, and enabling collaboration and research. However, substantial upfront and maintenance costs remain significant barriers to adoption. This study evaluates DP’s financial and qualitative value, exploring whether the long-term financial benefits justify investments and addressing implementation challenges in large public and private European laboratory settings. A targeted literature review, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and a net present value (NPV) model were employed to assess DP’s impact on clinical practice and laboratory financials. Qualitative findings validate the key benefits of DP, including optimized workflow, enhanced logistics, and improved laboratory organization. Pathologists reported a smooth integration, improved training, teaching, and research capabilities, and increased flexibility through remote work. Collaboration within multidisciplinary teams was strengthened, while case examination efficiency and access to archival slides were notably improved. Quantitative results indicate that DP demonstrates strong financial potential, achieving cost recovery within 6 years. DP investment results in a 7-year NPV of + €0.21 million (m) driven by increased productivity and diagnosis volumes. Although the high upfront costs for scanners, training, and system integration pose a significant barrier to the adoption of DP, larger institutions are better positioned to leverage economies of scale. This study underscores the importance of sustained financial support to cope with the initial investment and regional collaboration in driving widespread adoption of DP. Expanding reimbursement policies for pathology procedures could significantly reduce financial barriers.