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El Jiar M, Eliahiai I, Chaib S, Elmorabit K, Mouatakid M, Kharmoum J, Chraibi M. The State of Telepathology in Africa in the Age of Digital Pathology Advancements: A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e63835. [PMID: 39099907 PMCID: PMC11297393 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Telepathology emerges as a vital tool, offering significant promise for enhancing pathology services in Africa, a region historically challenged by healthcare access and resource limitations. This review explores the development, adoption, and impacts of telepathology in Africa through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis and literature review. A methodical search in PubMed for publications up to 2024 revealed 119 pertinent studies, out of which 47 met the inclusion criteria for a focused review on telepathology's role in African healthcare settings. This research has charted a clear trajectory of growing interest in telepathology, as evidenced by the annual increase in related publications and robust international collaboration. It underscores the expanding utility of telepathology in diagnostics, education, and research within Africa, particularly in domains like dermatopathology, neuropathology, and, notably, oncology. The integration of artificial intelligence into telepathology presents new frontiers for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. However, the review also identifies persistent challenges such as infrastructural inadequacies, a shortage of skilled professionals, and regulatory hurdles. The study highlights the indispensable role of international partnerships in advancing telepathology in the region. This review proposes a strategic pivot toward "leapfrogging," an approach that allows Africa to skip traditional developmental hurdles by directly adopting cutting-edge technologies and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed El Jiar
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Imane Eliahiai
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Sanae Chaib
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Khalid Elmorabit
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Mohamed Mouatakid
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Jinane Kharmoum
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
| | - Mariame Chraibi
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, MAR
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mohammed VI of Tangier, Tangier, MAR
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Brownlee AJ, Dewey M, Chagomerana MB, Tomoka T, Mulenga M, Khan S, Kampani C, Chimzimu F, Gastier-Foster JM, Westmoreland KD, Ozuah NW, Krysiak R, Malamba-Banda C, Painschab MS, Gopal S, Fedoriw Y. Update on pathology laboratory development and research in advancing regional cancer care in Malawi. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1336861. [PMID: 38298817 PMCID: PMC10829605 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1336861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathology laboratory at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi was established in 2011. We published our initial experiences in laboratory development and telepathology in 2013 and 2016, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on our work by highlighting the positive role laboratory development has played in improving regional cancer care and research. In addition, we provide a summary of the adult pathology data from specimens received between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2019, with an emphasis on malignant diagnoses. We compare these summaries to estimates of cancer incidence in this region to identify gaps and future needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J. Brownlee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Morgan Dewey
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Maganizo B. Chagomerana
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Tamiwe Tomoka
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Maurice Mulenga
- Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Shiraz Khan
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Coxcilly Kampani
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Fred Chimzimu
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Julie M. Gastier-Foster
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kate D. Westmoreland
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nmazuo W. Ozuah
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Robert Krysiak
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Chikondi Malamba-Banda
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Program, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Matthew S. Painschab
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Satish Gopal
- Center for Global Health, National Cancer Institute (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yuri Fedoriw
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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